Greatness

Today I am celebrating my godson Daniel's 8th Birthday and St. Pope John Paul II's feast day! 

Daniel is one of the greatest gifts God has given me. 

I love being this sweet boy's godmother! 

This year is going to be an exciting year for him! 

Daniel is in the second grade which means he will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion in the Spring. 

I have no doubt that God is going to do great things in this young man's life! 

Happy birthday, Daniel! 

I was only ten years old when Pope John Paul II died. 

I remember my mom crying.

At that age I didn't really understand who we were mourning.  

However, later I understood that we mourn those we love. 

St. Pope John Paul II made a mark in this world and in my heart. 

St. Pope John Paul II loved unconditionally. 

His earthly presence in my life was short but his heavenly presence is eternal. 

It wasn't the end but rather the beginning of a beautiful life greatly lived.

"The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being." Pope John Paul the Great 

Pope John Paul the Great, pray for us! 

Thank You

I just want to say thank you to everyone for praying for me during my heart appointments yesterday.

The outpouring of love and prayers is what made yesterday go so smoothly.

I had peace in my heart.

Mom and I drove to Spokane and began with blood work. I didn't even feel the poke. 

Following the blood work was my echocardiogram and my appointment with my cardiologist. 

Both went very well.

Everything was stable. 

No tears.

Only gratitude for the gift of prayer and for my team of prayers! 

I am always uncertain about what to expect at these appointments. 

Will it be good news or bad?

I never know until after the fact. 

It's been an act of trust. 

Sometimes the reports are great and other times they're not.

Thank you, Jesus, yesterday's report was good news! 

Thank you to all of you who stopped to pray for me. 

Thank you for reaching out.

Thank you for the Facebook comments, messages and text messages. 

Thank you for rejoicing with me! 

My heart is filled with gratitude.

All I can say is thank you!  

"Remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm and look forward to the future with confidence." St. Pope John Paul II 

 

Remember the Good

 I love my Praying from the Heart journal.

 Every 20 days there is a day dedicated to giving thanks. 

I sometimes struggle with this though. 

Giving thanks to God, no problem. 

My problem is prioritizing the good.

Last night my bible study group read from scripture and each of us shared what stood out to each other. 

I randomly chose the Gospel of Luke 18:18-23. 

The part that stood out to me was,

A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? Luke 18:18

That question, "Why do you call me good?" reminded me to name the goodness of God. Just like in my prayer journal.

Today at Adoration I opened my Bible and read from Matthew. 4:18-22.

Jesus calls his disciples to follow him. 

We are his disciples too. 

What does it take to follow him?

Practice seeking the good. 

Sometimes it is hard to follow this path but remember Jesus is walking with us. 

He is saying, Come follow Me with your whole heart. 

Instead of focusing on the bad, focus on the good.  

Remember there is a lot of goodness around us if we look for it. 

Even this morning at Mass the homily was about recognizing the good! 

And now, I can't stop thinking about Your goodness! 

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us! 

Jesus, I trust in You

 Jesus, I trust in You.

Trust is another word for surrender. 

 Surrendering is hard to do.

These words are not easy to pray. 

Yet, they are powerful words to practice praying.

Unfortunately, I am a nervous person. I struggle with anxiety. 

However, praying these words have been an act of surrender in my life.

When I would rather be in control... Jesus, I trust in You. 

When I am anxious from the fear of surrendering... Jesus, I trust in You.

"Please take care of everything." Surrender Novena Prayer 

St. Faustina's prayer is a reminder to depend on Jesus instead of myself.   

He will take care of everything. 

He knows my heart better than I know my heart. 

Jesus, I trust in You.

“When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls” (Diary, 1074). 

St. Faustina, pray for us!