Where’s my dad?

SO what's with the Nemo pumpkin, you might ask. 

Rather, what is with the caption, "Where's my dad?" 

If you know, you know. 

If you do not know, I'll tell you in this blog. 

A couple months ago my sister Maddie introduced our family to a song I can't get out of my head. 

There is or was, a viral video of the musical Finding Nemo. 

I had no idea there even was a musical. 

The first words of the lyrics are, "Where's my dad?" 

It's so ridiculous, yet, clever. It's catchy and hard to forget.

I didn't plan on painting Nemo's face on my pumpkin, but when I saw the idea on Pinterest, I was excited to try it. 

But, guess what song started playing in my head? 

"Where's my dad?" 

To those who have not seen Nemo, this blog is going to be super confusing.

However, it might still be confusing, even if you have seen the movie.

I find it hilarious but maybe because it's now a family joke. 

And now, well, this maybe is a blog joke. 

 Happy Halloween! 

Don't Hide Your Light

 October 25th, 1995, my sister Jennifer Rose went to be with the angels in heaven. 

I was only ten weeks old at her funeral. 

I didn't have as much time with Jenny on this earth as I would have liked. 

However, with every passing year I have grown closer to my sister above me.  

I give thanks to my mom and dad for celebrating Jennifer's life every year. 

I give thanks for the light they brought into this world. 

My dear friend Tiffany never met Jennifer but shared with me that Jennifer visited her in a dream just the other night. 

In the dream Jennifer spoke to my friend and said, 

"We do not have much time. Do not hide your light!" 

As my friend shared the dream with me, my friend's eyes filled with tears and so did mine.  

Yet, I couldn't help but smile.

Here was my sister, who I only knew for ten weeks, sharing her light from heaven. 

She was reminding us of the bigger picture.

I asked Tiffany if I could share her dream in my blog. 

Tiffany's response was, "I'm so glad to get that little message from such a beautiful little girl. I think she meant for that message to be shared." 

Jenny never fails to point us back to heaven. 

Quote of the Day: "Many live like angels in the midst of the world. Why not you?"–St. Josemaria Escriva

 

Today we listened to Christmas music because mom would listen to Christmas music with Jennifer. 

This song couldn't be more fitting. 

Glory and Praise

Yesterday, October 19th, I had my sixth month heart check up. It was time for an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart. I never know what to expect from these appointments. Will there be good news or bad news? However, yesterday, there was GOOD news! 

My mom and I left at 5:20 am for my first appointment at 9am. On our drive up to Sacred Heart I mentioned that it was cool that Oct. 19th was the Feast of the North American Martyrs. Remember this for later...

We made it to the hospital with plenty of time to have blood work done before the ECHO. The blood work went fast and that was great to have that done first. 

My echocardiogram was fast too. The ECHO lasted only thirty minutes and the tech was kind and brought me a heated blanket. 

Two of my least favorite things (blood work and ECHO) behind me! 

After the ECHO, Mom and I went to visit our dear friends, Emma and Patti Watson. 

We were pretty sure Emma was in the same room I was when I was in heart failure at Sacred Heart. 

We enjoyed a great visit and thank God for the miracles of their lives! 

I ask for continued blessings and prayers for the Watson family. 

My last appointment was with my cardiologist who would share the results from the echocardiogram with us. 

My doctor didn't know if he agreed with the ECHO results. 

He told us he had to look at the ECHO results three times, triple checking my name to make sure these were my results before coming to see me.

The ECHO said my Ejection Fraction was 50% which is a NORMAL heart pump. 

My doctor thought for sure 35% Which is HUGE.  

I had a great appointment with signs of UNEXPLAINED strengthening in my heart! My ECHO showed a considerably strengthened ability to pump!

 My doctor asked what I have been doing differently. I haven't changed medication in over two years. 

I didn't have an answer. The only thing I could say was that I feel stronger since I started working out. 

My mom shared this beautiful prayer and I wanted to share it on my blog.

I want to thank Our Lady of Lourdes for her intercession on Gabbie's behalf--I can see Our Blessed Mother taking Gabbie to Jesus and telling Gabbie, "Do whatever He tells you." Thank you, Jesus, for this precious gift of healing grace!

Thank you to everyone for the prayers! 

I am in complete "What just happened?" 

I don't have the answer but I know God does. 

I shared this crazy awesome news with the Sisters of Life.

They too had been praying for me and thought of the North American Martys yesterday. 

Meet St. John de Brebeuf: 

In 1649, the Iroquois attacked the Huron village where John was living. They brutally martyred him, Gabriel Lalement, his companion, and their converts. Their suffering is indescribable: bludgeoned, burned with red-hot hatchets, baptized with boiling water, mutilated, flesh stripped off and eaten, hearts plucked out and devoured. But John de Brébeuf had his prayer answered. He traded his life for the seven thousand souls he had converted and baptized.

My God and my savior Jesus, what return can I make to you for all the benefits you have conferred on me? I make a vow to you never to fail, on my side, in the grace of martyrdom, if by your infinite mercy you offer it to me some day.

—John de Brébeuf

Excerpt from Voices of the Saints by Bert Ghezzi.

To God be the glory and praise! 

Painting by Erin McAtee 

https://www.erinkmcatee.com/works-on-paper

 

Happy 100th Birthday!

 Happy 100th Birthday to Grandpa Lee in heaven! 

I am laughing as I write this blog because I can hear Grandpa say, "Whoop-de-doo." 

However, 100 years is worth "Whoop-de-doo-ing"! 

Without you, we would not be here. 

Our crazy big family that we call Rehder nation, would not exist. 

I am so grateful that you are our patriarch. 

I miss your smile but know you are smiling and celebrating with Grandma in heaven. 

Cheers to you and to 100 years, Grandpa! 

Simply Live

It's been on my heart to simplify my life. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 

A couple weeks ago I went through my closet and realized how attached I am to clothing. 

However, I made the decision to let go and I freed up a lot of space; which leads me to want to make space for more than just my wardrobe. 

Space in my heart. 

Life is not just about simplifying but simply living. 

Make time to pause and enjoy the dance. 

And today is the day the sun danced.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!