The Engaged Encounter Weekend was absolutely wonderful, though quite exhausting! We were able to examine and discuss many aspects of our relationship, some which we'd already discussed and others we hadn't thought of. It was very helpful for both of us in discerning the direction of our relationship and we both agree that it's moving in the right direction... toward marriage.
I'm very thankful that this relationship has taken it's time to grow properly in the last two years and that we haven't rushed anything. I feel confident that Damion and I will have a great future together and I'm really looking forward to beginning the next stage of our lives and relationship... :)
Thank you for the prayers and the thoughtful comments!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Engaged Encounter
This weekend, Damion and I will be going to Engaged Encounter. There is no formal engagement in place but it came at the recommendation of my priest and I thought it would be a good idea since we're heading in that direction. We're both very much looking forward to it! (Not to mention, a weekend without the kids will be a nice break!)
Please pray that God will show us any areas that we need to work out and that his grace will be upon us to communicate effectively and make the most of the weekend.
Please pray that God will show us any areas that we need to work out and that his grace will be upon us to communicate effectively and make the most of the weekend.
THANK YOU!
I want to say a very heartfelt THANK YOU to those of you who have prayed for or donated to my sister and her husband's cause. We are still far from the goal but every bit helps and they cannot begin to tell you what a blessing it's been to know there are people out there who care and are willing to help with prayers and donations.
God is answering their prayer in other ways as well. Out of the blue, one of her husband's former employers, called and offered him a job. This job would pay SIGNIFICANTLY more money annually and it will put them closer to their goal SO much sooner! Please pray for God's will where this new job is concerned!
Also, my sister, my mom and I have been working a lot making jewelry and some other items. We're going to have an open house before Christmas to sell our items to raise money for the adoption.
I will be making and selling rosaries as well... keep an eye out because I may give first dibs to my readers!
Thanks again!
God is answering their prayer in other ways as well. Out of the blue, one of her husband's former employers, called and offered him a job. This job would pay SIGNIFICANTLY more money annually and it will put them closer to their goal SO much sooner! Please pray for God's will where this new job is concerned!
Also, my sister, my mom and I have been working a lot making jewelry and some other items. We're going to have an open house before Christmas to sell our items to raise money for the adoption.
I will be making and selling rosaries as well... keep an eye out because I may give first dibs to my readers!
Thanks again!
Monday, October 22, 2007
The strangest thing happened *EDIT*
Upon my pending reception into the Catholic Church, I was also undergoing the annulment process through the Tribunal for three past marriages. Thankfully, it didn't take long and all three marriages were considered null. End of story. I'm free to marry.
So, this weekend, while at my parents' house, I received a letter from the tribunal. Strange that this would show up at my parents' house because I didn't use their address when I went through the process. So, curiosity forces me to open the letter immediately.
It's a letter stating that the Tribunal in the Diocese of Orlando is seeking permission to being an annulment procedure at the request of my first spouse! So, this means that my first spouse is either becoming Catholic or seeking the blessing of his fourth and current marriage. I have to say that either scenario comes as a complete surprise because he wasn't religious by any stretch of the imagination, and I can't see him submitting to any authority... This guy was a real piece of work: a liar, a con, a cheater... and that's being nice!
I can only hope that this is an indication that he has changed his ways and is seeking God and the truth of the Catholic faith. I always hoped for vindication against the way he treated me, but this is a much more forgiving and merciful outcome.
What good news it will be for he and his wife to know that this case has already been determined as invalid by the Church and they can quickly move forward!
*EDIT* It turns out that they want to have their marriage blessed because she wants to be able to receive communion. It appears that he has developed some sort of Protestant faith. I'm guessing Baptist. Anyway, I call the diocese and gave them the information. Hopefully, that will be the last I hear of the whole thing!
So, this weekend, while at my parents' house, I received a letter from the tribunal. Strange that this would show up at my parents' house because I didn't use their address when I went through the process. So, curiosity forces me to open the letter immediately.
It's a letter stating that the Tribunal in the Diocese of Orlando is seeking permission to being an annulment procedure at the request of my first spouse! So, this means that my first spouse is either becoming Catholic or seeking the blessing of his fourth and current marriage. I have to say that either scenario comes as a complete surprise because he wasn't religious by any stretch of the imagination, and I can't see him submitting to any authority... This guy was a real piece of work: a liar, a con, a cheater... and that's being nice!
I can only hope that this is an indication that he has changed his ways and is seeking God and the truth of the Catholic faith. I always hoped for vindication against the way he treated me, but this is a much more forgiving and merciful outcome.
What good news it will be for he and his wife to know that this case has already been determined as invalid by the Church and they can quickly move forward!
*EDIT* It turns out that they want to have their marriage blessed because she wants to be able to receive communion. It appears that he has developed some sort of Protestant faith. I'm guessing Baptist. Anyway, I call the diocese and gave them the information. Hopefully, that will be the last I hear of the whole thing!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Down
Pardon the lack of posting... I have been down a bit and dealing with some behavior issues with the kids as well. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world...
Faith is easy. Living out faith is just as difficult as being a mom and right now I'm struggling. Sin so often gets in the way of growth.
I don't want my Catholic faith to just be "what I believe". I want it to be the WAY that I live. But, truth be told, it's like bringing an entirely different culture into the household and it's not always clear to me how to do so...
So, I'm still around... reading... but I'm just not sure what to write at this time. This post alone took me nearly a half hour...
Faith is easy. Living out faith is just as difficult as being a mom and right now I'm struggling. Sin so often gets in the way of growth.
I don't want my Catholic faith to just be "what I believe". I want it to be the WAY that I live. But, truth be told, it's like bringing an entirely different culture into the household and it's not always clear to me how to do so...
So, I'm still around... reading... but I'm just not sure what to write at this time. This post alone took me nearly a half hour...
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Baby Hope
A few posts ago, I mentioned that my sister,April, and her husband's adoption process was cut short due to lack of funds. Just when they felt their dream was within reach, they were informed they were still short... setting them back a bit. The home study is complete and the only thing standing in the way is the mighty dollar! But, we believe if God wills it, He will make a way and I've put together a few ideas to help them out. We handed out baby bottles to close friends and family and they are using them to collect their pocket change at the end of the day. My kids and I have already filled two bottles!
There are three other ways to help out my sister and her husband with the adoption costs. And I'm asking everyone to choose one:
One (and the most important): Pray, pray, pray. Please pray for God's will... that if they should be parents, God will provide the means. Also, pray for peace and comfort in this process since, at times, it seems so hopeless for them.
Two: You can visit their Cafepress.com shop, The Baby Hope Shop, and purchase something. We will be adding some new designs in the next couple of weeks.
Three: You can go to any Bank of America and make a deposit to their account:
April Durnil
Bank of America Acct No: *REMOVED*
I know there were some people interested in donating... and I thank you in advance for doing so. May God bless you for your generosity!
Also, thank you Ma Beck for your heartfelt post and purchase from the Baby Hope Shop! My sister and her husband are very grateful.
There are three other ways to help out my sister and her husband with the adoption costs. And I'm asking everyone to choose one:
One (and the most important): Pray, pray, pray. Please pray for God's will... that if they should be parents, God will provide the means. Also, pray for peace and comfort in this process since, at times, it seems so hopeless for them.
Two: You can visit their Cafepress.com shop, The Baby Hope Shop, and purchase something. We will be adding some new designs in the next couple of weeks.
Three: You can go to any Bank of America and make a deposit to their account:
Bank of America Acct No: *REMOVED*
I know there were some people interested in donating... and I thank you in advance for doing so. May God bless you for your generosity!
Also, thank you Ma Beck for your heartfelt post and purchase from the Baby Hope Shop! My sister and her husband are very grateful.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Mathetes Award...
I am proud to announce I have received the Mathetes Award from TWO separate bloggers: Ma Beck and RobK.
"Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) it to make more disciples. I'd like to take the opportunity to award five other bloggers with this award and badge for acting in the role of a disciple of Christ. These five all share the message in their own creative ways, and I admire them all for what they do.
In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other "disciples" to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1)this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ. If you know of other deserving recipients of this award, and would like to start a new string, then please post a link to where you've started in in the comments to this post. I would love for many deserving bloggers to be blessed with this recognition."
So, now I have the honor of giving this award to five others. I easily would have given this award to the same two who gave it to me... and it's highly likely that those I give the award to have already been given one, but here goes:
1. Tim at a word on The Word who, each week, takes a deep look at a passage of Scripture and offers a lot of food for thought. He always write something I can relate with. He and his wife were one of the first people I became acquainted with in the Catholic blogging world.
2. Russ at Crossed the Tiber who, together with his wife, are a tremendous discipling team. They work hard to get the message out there and their love for God shines through with humility and passion.
3. TheGodFearinFiddler at The God Fearin' Forum... This guy has some amazing apologetic insight and he gets "The Word" out there!
4. Japhy at The Cross Reference who, along with others, encouraged me in my journey.
5. Ruth at Wheelie Catholic who has a unique approach to things as she educates others about the issues facing individuals with disabilities and the need for full inclusion of these individuals in Catholic communities and beyond.
"Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) it to make more disciples. I'd like to take the opportunity to award five other bloggers with this award and badge for acting in the role of a disciple of Christ. These five all share the message in their own creative ways, and I admire them all for what they do.
In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other "disciples" to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1)this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ. If you know of other deserving recipients of this award, and would like to start a new string, then please post a link to where you've started in in the comments to this post. I would love for many deserving bloggers to be blessed with this recognition."
So, now I have the honor of giving this award to five others. I easily would have given this award to the same two who gave it to me... and it's highly likely that those I give the award to have already been given one, but here goes:
1. Tim at a word on The Word who, each week, takes a deep look at a passage of Scripture and offers a lot of food for thought. He always write something I can relate with. He and his wife were one of the first people I became acquainted with in the Catholic blogging world.
2. Russ at Crossed the Tiber who, together with his wife, are a tremendous discipling team. They work hard to get the message out there and their love for God shines through with humility and passion.
3. TheGodFearinFiddler at The God Fearin' Forum... This guy has some amazing apologetic insight and he gets "The Word" out there!
4. Japhy at The Cross Reference who, along with others, encouraged me in my journey.
5. Ruth at Wheelie Catholic who has a unique approach to things as she educates others about the issues facing individuals with disabilities and the need for full inclusion of these individuals in Catholic communities and beyond.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
And the winner is...
RobK, author of the blog Kyrie Eleison! He has won a signed copy of Jimmy Akin's book, "The Salvation Controversy".
Thank you to the five of you who took the time to share a passage with me! There are times when certain passages seem to pierce our hearts and souls... when God seems to speak specifically to us through His written word. All of the passages mentioned were familiar to me and have spoken to me at some point as well...
If you didn't win this time around, don't lose heart! I'll have another contest in a month or two and I have another terrific book to give away that has been signed by the author as well!
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