The Joy Journey is a weekly series on Fine Linen and Purple by moi. Stop by here each Friday for a fresh perspective on living the joyful life!
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What’s Really Important
I had a completely different post in mind for today’s Joy Journey but on Monday of this week, a tornado ripped through my sister-in-law Jalanna’s home town and destroyed all she owns in this world. Jalanna is a Special Ed teacher who has dedicated the last twenty-five years of her life to helping those special kids achieve all they can with the gifts they have been given. Now she’s the one in need.
This storm devastated Jalanna’s town and has taken more lives than I can fathom. I praise God that Jalanna’s life was spared, and she feels blessed to be here today, knowing that God has a plan for each of us, tornado or no tornado. But this event has focused my mind and my heart on what is really important in this life.
Faith, family, and love of neighbor.
So, in the aftermath of this natural disaster, how do we recognize what’s really important? How do we get past worrying about our own problems so we can support our church, family, and neighborhoods?
Our day started at 5 a.m. and Courtney was not really thrilled to be up so early. We arrived at the hospital right on time and began the incredibly long pre-op process for a special one like Courtney. They marked her face like a Cyborg so no mistakes would be made by the plastic surgeon.
Of course we wore or lucky striped socks. Daddy picked them out special for today.
There were doctors to see. Anesthesiologists to consult with. Medical students to brief. IV's to place and moles to remove. My friend Christine joined me since Jerry had meetings scheduled all day long and he is NOT very fond of hospitals. Trust me hen I say that was one of the best choices I made all day. Having someone with you who can make you laugh is ket to surviving the day.
Of course she got to laugh at me as well. They say blue is my best color. What do you think?? Not to worry I left this spicy little number at the hospitl. I think it was just way to sexy for Jerry to handle.
My girl looked like she had been in a street fight when she got to recovery. The hardest part is that she needs to keep her hands away from her face. Let's just say this is will be the hardest challenge for us. She is constantly wiping her nose or scratching her ears. Now she can't do any of that without damaging her stitches.
Can you say Parrrr.Teh! Oh yeah baby...this is going to be awesome. On the way home from the hospital I needed to come up with a easy to protect her stitches. This is what the nurse and I came up with...
Ayyyeee Matey! There is a pirate in the house! Needless to say she is NOT happy at all. I think sleeping will be a challenge tonight since she cannot scratch her face. I am even more tired just thinking about it.
Thank you so much for your prayers and kind thoughts. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate them. Truly I do and so does my girl. We will need them all this week as she begins to heal. We will be home for the remainder of the week as allowing her to heal in a protected environment. Her stitches will come out in two weeks.
An update on my sister-in-law Jalanna who lost her home and all she own in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado yesterday. She is safe in Norman, OK with my in-laws at a hotel. Her precious dog did make it though the storm and she is so grateful for that. If you wish to help her directly with re-building please donate here. We will send the funds raised directly to her. Please keep her and all those affected in your prayers.
Please, please pray for our family and friends in Moore, Oklahoma. My sister-in-law is a special education teacher in Moore and we just found out that she has lost her home and everything she owns. Her school was NOT one of the ones that sustained a direct hit praise God, but her home was destroyed. She is such an amazing woman who has dedicated herself to her special kids fro almost thirty years. We are waiting to hear if she lost her dog, but we suspect the worst.
Please, please pray for her and all those affected by this incredible tornado. There are children trapped in the rubble as well as many who now rest in God's hands. This storm is not over. There will be many more people affected. Please pray...
For those of you who want to help, you can donate on my PayPal site and all the money collected we will send to my sister-in-law so she can begin to rebuild her home. Insurance will only cover so much. You can also contribute to the American Red Cross.
It's Monday morning and the house is fairly still. Miss Courtney is still sleeping, Jonathan and Jerry are at work and I have my iPod playing Audrey Assad quietly. I have said my morning rosary for your intentions and mine and I am typing this while sipping a delightfully glorious cup of coffee.
Soon the pace will pick up considerably as I begin the preparations for Courtney's surgery tomorrow. This part never gets any easier I must say. This will be her eighth surgery in 20 years and about the 47th time she will be put under general anesthesia.
Yes, I counted. A Mama of a special one keeps track of these things. It comes with the territory. There are a few pre-op blood tests to get taken and then we have to bathe her using anti-bacterial soap. I have already begun the feeding schedule, every two hours until midnight tonight she will receive either a tube feeding of formula, water or be fed by mouth. After midnight nothing.
She is having three moles removed which doesn't sound like any big deal except two of the moles are in tricky places. One is on her eyelid right by the tear duct, another on her upper cheek. This one has a cyst underneath it as well as the fact that it's sitting on one of her facial nerves. I have every confidence in the plastic surgeon, but remember this is Courtney we are talking about here. The littlest thing can become a major deal in the blink of an eye. So we take every precaution, every time.
Today my mother's heart is a bit tender as I go through all the worst case scenarios that could happen so in some insane way I can "feel" prepared for any eventuality. Crazy, right? I know, but it's what I do when faced with these things. Go to the worst place and then I work my way back into some semblance of sanity. It's my process...go figure.
Now I get to ask you for yet another favor. Courtney's surgery is schedule for Tuesday, at 9:30 a.m. EST. Would you be willing to cover us in prayer?? I would be so grateful for that. The closer we get to that moment when they wheel her away my anxiety inches up bit by bit. Those of you who have experienced this know the feeling I am talking about. I know it's considered "minor" surgery but to me it always feels like something more.
So I would greatly appreciate your prayers for me and my beautiful girl tomorrow. I will be updating myfacebook page throughout the day, as well as instagram andtwitter. So you can join along in the journey if you'd like. I promise to update the blog by tomorrow night with all the relevant news. Wouldn't want to leave you hanging.
Today I am grateful for:
#1326 ~ #1347
* freshly planted herbs that will grow and multiply
* turned earth promising lettuce and other scrumptious veggies
* anti-bacterial soap that will help protect my girl
* homeopathic medical supports that aid in healing
* friends willing to give up their day to spend it waiting with you in the hospital
* a husband who works so hard to provide for his family
* in praise for a wonderful weekend away for my son, spent with extended family and new friends.
* my daily rosary
* the prayerful support of others
* the spring rain that nourishes the ground
* a calm quiet morning to gather my thoughts before the insanity begins
* air conditioning on muggy hot days
* Christian music that inspires and uplifts.
* encouraging email messages in support of my writing - so grateful I cannot even put it into words
* sleep
* land to plant
* working indoor plumbing
* books to fill the time and challenge my mind
* time spent alone with my sweet spouse
* half and half...it wouldn't be good coffee without it
It was a crazy busy weekend here at Chez Lenaburg. Yesterday Jerry and I taught class #2 in our three class NFP series. Today there was Mass, the art auction at Courtney's former school and then Youth Ministry at church. Phew!! I did most of it in high heels...except for YM. I couldn't feel my toes by then so I switched to flats.
I love this yellow window pane. skirt. LOVE it! My Mom was so sweet and gave it to me for Mothers Day this year. I had marked it in the Talbots catalog as soon as it arrived in the mail. I wasn't sure if I had lost enough weight to not look too big in it, but I am feeling fairly confident that I rocked it out. Of course there were Spanx involved but we don't need to talk about that each week. Let's just assume that I wear them from now on shall we.
My denim jacket was purchased last year on clearance at Nordstrom. The costume jewelry is all from Charming Charlie and my fabric flower is from the online etsy store The Pleated Poppy. Shoes are Alfani on sale from DSW. You have seen them before. I was really happy with how this outfit turned out. The top is a stretchy lace fabric that is lined. It's from DressBarn.
Miss Courtney's look this week is modeled after that sort of rock star chic. Classic blazer and slim pants (both from JCP) with a colorful plaid shirt (JCrew's wicked sale) and of course her signature Chucks (stride rite) to complete the look. Her hair is getting really long now so I am going to need to learn to french braid it. Today I just did a simple braid which she tolerated well.
We went to her former school for their Art Auction to raise funds for a new sensory room for their students. It was so wonderful seeing all our old friends at Kilmer Center. We brought along my Mom who did some damage with the silent auctions.
Miss Courtney wasn't really in a smiling mood this afternoon. However, she did lean into Miss Hye her former assistant and sang a little for Miss Betsy her former teacher. They will always hold a very special place in our heart.
I had to take one of Miss C and her Papa. They were too funny today. Whenever Courtney started singing, Jerry sang back. Courtney would stop and roll her eyes. Oh how she loves her Papa...just not his singing. LOL!
Author Lorna Seilstad begins a new trilogy with "When Love Calls", Book One of the Gregory Sisters. Hannah Gregory, the eldest of three sisters finds herself in charge of her siblings after the untimely death of her parents. She leaves law school to find work as a "Hello Girl", the telephone switch operators of the early 1900's. Hannah meets a young attorney Lincoln Cole who won't take "no" for an answer. She is so consumed with taking care of others that she refuses to lean on someone else or think of her own dreams. Lincoln challenges her, eventually breaking through her emotional walls and they begin a wonderful courtship.
Book Description from Amazon: Hannah Gregory is good at many things, but that list doesn't include following rules. So when she is forced to apply for a job as a telephone switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won't be easy. "Hello Girls" must conduct themselves according to strict--and often bewildering--rules. No talking to the other girls. No chatting with callers. No blowing your nose without first raising your hand. And absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training. Meanwhile, young lawyer Lincoln Cole finds himself in the unfortunate position of having to enforce the bank's eviction of the three Gregory girls from their parents' home. He tries to soften the blow by supporting them in small ways as they settle into another home. But fiery Hannah refuses his overtures and insists on paying back every cent of his charity. When one of Hannah's friends finds himself on the wrong side of a jail cell, Hannah is forced to look to Lincoln for help. Will it be her chance to return to her dreams of studying law? And could she be falling in love?
Ms Seilstad uses incredible historical detail to bring the early twentieth century town to life, weaving together a layered plot of a mystery and a sweet love story. I always learn something new when I read one of Lorna's books. She is a wonderful storyteller who is very talented at taking the reader on a journey through her characters inner turmoil and conflict guiding them toward healing and in time seeing their dreams come true. Her hero and heroine are filled with life and ambition, yet they temper their desires through prayer and consideration of those they love.
I really enjoyed this book. The time period is a fascinating one to me. Woman are fighting for the vote, the first World War is right around the corner and the automobile is brand spanking new. How much has happened in this country in the last 150 years. Just incredible really.
I give this book:
3 cupcakes - I enjoyed the book and learned something and you might like it too!
This book is available from Revell Publishing and can be purchased at your local retailer or online.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Well my dear readers...I have done it again. I have jumped off the edge of a cliff and am now praying for the Holy Spirit to put it all together before I drown in my inner critic's constant barrage of perfectionist psycho babble.
Beginning today, I will be writing a weekly blog post called "The Joy Journey" on the fabulous blog Fine Linen and Purple. Emily and Kendra are just the finest examples of beautiful catholic womanhood and I am so honored to join them weekly, even if I'm the only one with grey hair. I will be writing about all the phases of catholic womanhood and trying to find the joy between the diapers and the dishes.
I admit to you now that I am terrified that I will run out of things to say. I can hear my husband laughing right now, but seriously I want to encourage and lift you up wherever you are on the journey toward heaven. I hate dissappointing people and failing in a public venue is beyond the pale.
So I need some friends to join me in this journey. Come on...you know you want to meet a few new people and maybe share your wisdom or even learn something new.
It’s a big day on the blog! Today Emily and I are so excited to welcome Mary, of Passionate Perseverance, as a new permanent contributing writer on the blog! I’d blab some more, but it’s probably better for Mary to introduce herself…
I am so honored and excited to be a new contributing writer to this fabulous site. Thanks to Kendra and Emily for their confidence in my ability to encourage and support you on your journey of Catholic Womanhood. I pray that my words uplift and never offend.
As we get to know each other, I hope to share some of the wisdom I have learned in the last twenty-five years of married life and twenty-three years of parenthood. If you are single or currently praying for a sweet little soul to join you and your husband, have no fear, there will be something for everyone. That’s what’s so great about the Holy Spirit: His words are all-inclusive.
When deciding whether or not to accept this opportunity, I pondered everything in the world attacking our faith, femininity, and families. As daughters of a King seeking joy in the mundane of daily living, can we find that “sweet spot” between meeting our family responsibilities and lifting our hearts to the One who we truly serve? While we fulfill our individual callings, do we recognize the good work we’ve done each day, regardless if the laundry is folded or dishes put away? Can we gently, yet firmly, respond to the attacks on our faith from the secular world with words backed by sacred scripture? Even if these attacks come from within our own families?
This has been a long week filled with lots of house purging and reorganization. I am always amazed at how much stuff one can acquire in twenty-five years of marriage. Last week I got the pantry squared away...again...this week I needed to make my way through the piles of cooking magazines that have been piling up for quite some time, plow through the ironing basket as well as get the laundry folded and finally put away. Add to that Miss Courtney's daily needs, a major plumbing issue mucking up the works and Jerry's 60 hour plus work week and I admit that I am flippin exhausted and overwhelmed with all that still needs to be done.
In an effort to distract myself for a moment or two let's take a little peak around Chez Lenaburg this week as I celebrate the little moments of sweet laughter and personal accomplishment that contribute to making each day bearable.
{pretty}
You're probably tired of seeing this smiling face but I never tire of her wonderful countenance. Miss Courtney continues to defy the odds and make a new path for herself in this world. She is only suffering one seizure a day at the moment which is just such a HUGE miracle. She laughs everyday and finds great joy in her Papa's voice and her brothers laugh. Next week the mole on her face goes bye bye. No more infections. Yay!
{happy}
Today Miss Tori was here for her weekly visit. She and Miss Courtney really enjoy each others company. I love how Court always leans into Tori or her big sister Hannah when they are close by. It's like she wants to make sure that they know how much she loves them. So...she leans in. It's her way of hugging her friends. It's awesome.
{funny}
This morning when my friend Christine was dropping of the girls, she stayed for a moment to help me with a picture hanging project. While we were doing this I asked my son to sweep off the front porch and brush off the cushions from the porch furniture. This is what I found about ten minutes later.
I didn't realize cleaning off the front porch would involve a battle of epic pillow proportions. Boys. One is 23, one is 18 and one is 8. Boys. They will always be boys no matter what. At least my porch is clean now.
{real}
This is what I piled through today with the help of my two sweet helpers. Baskets of cooking magazines each enticing me with their scrumptious recipes and beautiful photography. So many choices to make.
I am so proud of us! We did it. I have a file folder filled with lovely inspiration and my recycling bin is full. Now to get to work cooking and baking. Yum!!
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Summer is on the way...I think...I mean eventually it will be here. I mean Spring seems to be quite a fickle season this year. She comes and goes and then she comes and goes again. It's frustrating to try and figure out when to actually plant the tomato plants for the summer garden. Thank goodness they are plentiful at the grocery store.
I am always looking for side dishes that go with any protein I might have on hand. I happen to have some tomatoes that needed to be used before they went bad one evening and presto chango, I found this recipe in my binder of love where I keep recipes from old magazines.
My binder came through. This recipe is a home run. Really, it's tasty, healthy and cheap when you get the tomatoes in season. It can be served with chicken, fish. beef or pork. It is that versatile. If you don't have fresh basil, use parsley and add a a sprinkle of dried basil. Let your imagination run free with the filling. It is quite adaptable.
If your looking for more cooking inspiration, check out my Recipe Catalog. There's a lot to choose from.
1. Sprinkle inside of each tomato with salt and place upside down on several layers of paper toweling; let stand to remove excess moisture, about 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, toss bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon olive oil, Parmesan, basil, garlic, and pepper to taste in small bowl; set aside. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees, line bottom of 9 by 13-inch baking dish with foil.
3. Roll up several sheets of paper towels and pat inside of each tomato dry. Arrange tomatoes in single layer in baking dish. Brush top cut edges of tomatoes with 1 teaspoon oil. Mound stuffing into tomatoes (about 1/4 cup per tomato); drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Bake until tops are golden brown and crisp, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
This weeks edition of Five Favorites is fashion centered. I am a huge fan of color.
I know, shocked you are.
Since I am home most days with Miss Courtney, I tend to do most of my clothing shopping on-line. Less exposure to unwanted germs that way. I usually browse my favorite sites while the princess is having tummy time or taking a nap. This way my mother's guilt is less than .4 on the Richter Scale.
One of my favorite stores is Anthropologie. Not to worry my budget conscious friends, I rarely but anything there. It needs to be a wicked sale for me to even consider it. I do however get a lot of color, pattern and styling inspiration form their site.
I decided to share my current favorite tops in no particular order of impressiveness. Let me know what you think...
This Ruffled Lycra Top is intriguing to me. I love the combination of fabrics at the neckline. I am always a fan of mixing and matching different farics. If I were to wear this piece it would have to have sleeves and be a smidge longer though the torso. I have a very long waist so the longer the better.
This Embroidered A-Line Tank makes me smile. It combines two of my favorite colors right now, orange and hot pink. It is also embroidered at the color which is another detail I love on my tops. If I were to wear this piece I would make sure it was cut close at the side seems but still lose. Too much fabric could be a fitting disaster for me. Of course I would add sleeves as well, maybe a soft butterfly sleeve to keep with the "flow" of the garment.
This Slantwise Peplum Top intrigues me. I love the structure and the play with the direction of the stripes. Red is one of my favorite colors but I can't wear it close to my face since I have such bad Rocasea. This is one way I could wear because of the white background. I really like that the peplum is controlled and not too full. This could be worn by many different shaped women because of that structure. If I were to wear this There isn't much I would change but the length and adding in a nice short sleeve. I would even add a belt to give it a different look.
This Ruled and Knotted Tank is a full figured woman's dream. First of all the stripes are going the right way...up and down. This is such a rare thing to find. The fashion world seems obsessed with stripes going across form left to right. Well let me tell you what a nightmare that is for anyone who has any kind of tummy issue. It adds ten pounds instantly. The knot is placed perfectly to make a waist even if you don't have one. This top makes me smile. Simple, yet elegant. If I were to wear it I would simply add a sleeve...maybe a 3/4 sleeve would really work well.
This Piped Peplum Blouse is my favorite of these five I think.Even thought it's black and white its a powerhouse of a patterned fabric that would look fabulous with any color on the bottom. The brighter the better. It's very similar to the red striped piece above with the controlled peplum and yet stands on it's own quite well. If I were going to wear this top the only change I would make would be to...you guessed it...add sleeves.
So there you have it, this weeks Five Favorites. If you have a few of your own to share head on over to Moxie Wife to join in the fun.
I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. I knew that I needed to go to confession. It had been a few weeks and I had made a few mistakes these past few days that needed rectifying. So off to church I went, while Jonathan took care of feeding Miss Courtney.
I went and unloaded my heart filled with pride and a lack of humility, filled with the sin of gossip and judgment of others, filled with envy and gluttony. There was a torrent that came spilling forward as I emptied myself before God. The priest kindly took it all in, gave brief counsel and gave me absolution.
Ahhh...absolution is a beautiful thing isn't it?? That moment when you know you are forgiven and God has already forgotten what you did wrong. He poured out His love for me on the cross so that this moment might happen. that I might know His forgiveness and mercy. My heart was bursting with love for my God and my step was lighter as I left.
I got into the car and turned on my Pandora App on my phone. The song "The Only Thing" by Ronnie Freeman came on and I just started to cry. I know, you think I am nuts don't you. But read these words for just one moment:
I heard someone say the other day
They'd seen in me true love displayed
Blessed by something I had done for them
No sooner had they said these words
I found myself somehow disturbed
Uneasy as I took their compliment
Cause I know the heart inside this man
I know the truth of who I am...
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
I know me well enough to know
No matter what this life may show
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
WOW! That just pierced my heart straight through and I realized how prideful I am on a daily basis thinking that I have done anything without My God who walks beside me granting me strength and grace to take on each task required of me and helping me see each to its completion. He has sent the Holy Spirit to inspire me so many times when a friend or family member needed wisdom, support or encouragement. Those healing words they thanked me for didn't come from me but from the Father above. I am just not that good or that smart or that strong.
But HE is always and in everything. When we weep or when we laugh, He is there making all things new and good. There are many things in this life I don not understand bit one thing I do with all of me...God id GOOD ALL the time and provided EVERYTHING we may need now or in the future.
Who am I but the one who HE has asked to do His work here.
It is not me who serves Courtney by feeding, changing and caring for each and every need. It is Jesus through me.
It is not me who irons the church linens, cleans and folds the laundry for my family, prepares the meals or scrubs the floors. It is Jesus who works through me.
The only thing that is good in me is Jesus. I am eternally grateful for HIS love, HIS mercy, HIS grace to meet the challenges of each and every day. Wether I do them perfectly or not, He is still here cheering me on to serve with love and joy. Always...
So serve Him I shall, with imperfection and too much pride and not enough fortitude or piety. I will still take on the challenge of trying to do my best for this day. It is all I have to offer back to Him.
One diaper change at a time. One sneeze filled with spinach at a time. I shall glorify Him who gave me these beautiful souls to serve.
Join me this day will you? In whatever He has asked of you this day, join me in offering it back to Him as an imperfect "perfect" gift.
I think Jesus would like that...don't you??
What I am grateful for...my blessings: #1295 ~ #1326 * the women in my life who have inspired me, loved me and corrected me with love all my life * my husband who gives of himself completely day in and day out * the prayers of so many who offer them freely in a daily basis for my Courtney * soft blankets and snuggle time with my daughter * indoor plumbing * indoor plumbing that works * plumbers that come on a Sunday and don't charge a mortgage payment * mother's helpers who love to serve with such joy * hair long enough to braid * medical insurance * naps on a Monday * fabrics filled with color and pattern * the ability to sew * time to create new accessories to beautify my home * an iron filled with steam * serving the church through my labor * my brothers and sisters who circle the wagons when one is in need * my mother who loves no matter what * books filled with wonderful characters that take me back in time * cookbooks that inspire new adventures in the kitchen * the Mass * the Saints that surround the throne of God and pray for me and you every single day * a spring breeze that rustles through the trees * the sun beating down on my face as I walk each morning * yoga pants and stretchy sweatshirts that engulf me with love * friends who email encouragement in the midst of a mini-crisis * cut flowers given in love * chocolate cake baked by my son * dinner served by my two guys * the love of my children * the love of my husband * the love of my God
