I am Catholic and yes I am saved

I am Catholic and yes I am saved. 

By the passion and death of Christ, by His rising from the dead, I am saved.

By my proclamation that Christ is my Lord and Savior, I am saved

By my baptism, I am saved

By my receiving of the Eucharist, when I profess "this is the body, blood, soul and divinity" of my Lord Jesus Christ, I am saved

When I make the sign of the cross, I renew my baptismal promise, to renounce satan and all the I do, all that I am, I do in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirt, I am saved.

When I go to mass, I profess my belief and commitment to Christ as my Lord and Savior, I am saved. 

When I say the "our Father" and recommit my life to Christ, I am saved. 

When I live my Christian faith, not to earn but to draw closer to my Savior, I am saved. 

Christ says in James, "I will separate the goats from the sheep" He will know I am Christian because I fed him when he was hungry, I clothed him when he was naked, I visited him when he was sick or imprisoned. 

I am Catholic and I am saved, not by my own doing or by anything I deserve.

I am saved because Christ died on the cross for my sins.

I am Catholic and my faith keeps me focused on my Savior.

I am Catholic and I strive to live as a sheep of Christ, my faith helps me to focus on loving Christ in his people around me. 

I am Catholic and I love.

I am Catholic and I know

I am Catholic and I believe

I am Catholic and I am saved. 

Smile through tears

"Smile though your heart is aching, smile even though it's breaking" Nat King Cole 

This song has been running through my head since I learned that my son, daughter in law and grandson are moving back to Seattle WA. 

I have tried to allow my kids to live their lives. I have tried not to guilt or prod them to live a life I think they should. Have I succeeded? I don't know, you would have to ask them.

I know the move to Seattle is not being done to hurt me(or Steve). I know they have to live their lives and choose what is best for them. Whether I agree or disagree. 

I just always thought I would be an integral part of my grand children's lives. I always thought I would be connected and have special bond that includes spending lots of quality time. I know Steve feels the same way I do. But time and distance will change that. A 3 hour time difference and 1900 miles will make the relationship I have with my grandson different. I am not writing this to make then feel bad, I am just stating the facts. I am not trying to guilt them, just sharing my feelings. I have struggled with writing this and posting this. I sometimes have this desire to write things out and can't find peace until I write and post. So if this causes hurt feelings, I am sorry. 

Some have suggested that I move to the Pacific Northwest. I would never say never, but right now that will not happen. My mom and Steve's mom are here. My mom will be 75 this year. I cherish her and want to be a part of her life for as long as possible. Now I feel like I have to choose between my mom and my grandson. 

I trust in God, I trust in Steve. Both of taken care of me and have never let me down. I have to believe that the next 30 years will be as awesome and the last 30 years. What is in store for me will be what is right. I have to place my trust in that.

My kids have made me proud. They are great people and they live their lives. They work hard and love the world and its people. My only wish for them is that they have or develop a strong relationship with God. I need to trust in them as well. Trust them to live their lives for what is right for them and their families. I just hope I am a part of their plan. 

I pray and will always pray for my families happiness. That they find their purpose in life and have peace. I will support and love my family. I will smile through the tears, I will pray for peace, happiness and love.

Socks and underwear

I have to buy socks and underwear;

 because God told me to.

I know crazy right. Believe me I hear it my own head too. 

About 6 weeks ago I decided to make up little care packages for anyone I see begging. (I don't say homeless because I don't know nor assume that they don't have a home.) Anyway, I don't carry cash so I decided to make little brown bag care packages. It was rather spur of the moment. I put it what I thought someone might need; a protein bar, pair of gloves, hand and feet warmers, a deck of cards, and a Saint or prayer card. As I was putting them together I kept getting the sense that they weren't quite ready. But I didn't know what I was missing.  

I put the little care packs together, put them in a canvas grocery sack and set them in my back seat. I made sure they were reachable while I was driving. Weird thing though, since I made them about 3weeks ago, I haven't come across one person to give them to, not one. I was still getting the sense that they weren't ready. 

Today I was driving around doing errands thinking about the care packages, doing God's will, and the corporal works of mercy. I was beginning to doubt. All the little voices in the my head were getting louder. "They are all criminals", "They don't need your little bags", "You are missing the point once again in doing God's will", blah blah blah..... I was getting discouraged and doubting again. I said to God, please just let me know if I am on the right track or need to go a different way. Please!!!

Literally 10 minutes later, I am making a left into a strip mall. I see a young man on the corner with a sign. Where he is I may end up depending on traffic. I run my errand and leave the area. I go to make another left if I can, this would put me right next to him. If I can't make a left, I would have to go around and pass right by him. As I pull up to make the left, there is no traffic in my way, not one car. I smoothly turn. I stop at the red light and there he is with a sign asking for help. I open my window, hand him the care package, say "God Bless you brother". He takes it says thanks and walks away. I roll up my window and look at the light. He walks back a moment later and waves. I roll down my window and he thanks me again. He is very appreciative. 

He says gloves are always needed but so are socks and underwear. If you get the chance to share those, many of us out here need them. I said "socks and underwear, got it!" I said this as much to him as to God. The light turns green and I go on about my life. 

Now I have to gather socks and underwear! If you see any on sale please let me know.

God Bless you and your family. Be warm, safe and giving this new year.