Race

As I read my post after Richard died, I'm amazed how peaceful I sound. Seriously. That fall was awful. So much grief. And the years since have had more than their share of struggle.

Yet, here I am. Still learning the lesson of what it means to live this big family life. Learning what it means to parent several adult children AND playing with my six year old. Learning what it means to be married in the "middle" years.

And struggling. With my faith, with believing in myself, with the world we live in (which often just feels like a giant dumpster fire).

At the end of last year, I struggled to think about what word I would carry with me through the new year. I settled on receive. I am busy. All the time. I know this year God wants more stillness from me. To listen more, to receive him in every way he offers Himself to me. I picked this knowing that in order to receive I also had to be willing to be emptied, to make space for grace. This won't always be pleasant.

But that word didn't feel like enough. I felt like God would have me active in the world for Him, to use this grace to give Him glory. After sneaking a peek at some of the words a friend was considering, I also settled on create. Not entirely sure how this will play out. But I'm claiming it.

Which brings me to, yes, a third word.

Race.

Just as January started, my sister texted me. She invited me to run in a 10 mile race in Philadelphia, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, held in May (it would fall the day after my Godson's First Communion). She mentioned it is "very Philly". Haha. I thought about it. I talked to my husband. I texted with my sister again. They both expressed their confidence in me, encouraged me to do it. I had mostly decide to do it, but had not yet registered.

A few days later I was running. Just intervals. An ankle injury in November had taken forever to heal and I was very much NOT in running shape. I suddenly doubted my ability to run this race at all. Then a song came on my playlist. It was Guiding Light by Mumford and Sons. This was a random workout playlist I was streaming from Amazon music. For whatever reason I tuned into the words as I ran. It wrecked me. And God spoke in my heart. Run the race. Run to me. Run with your feet and with your heart. Do this.

I could tell you all the back story on why this was so powerful. The invitation from my dear sister, that I love so much, when things have been strained. God speaking clearly, unmistakably in answer to a prayer, even if it was wondering if I should run a race. God speaking. To me. Run the race. I cried as I ran and when I got home I registered.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

21

Today you are 21.

Twenty-one.

How did we get here so quickly? Never mind that you are now the age I was when you were born. A whole lifetime.

You have such a capacity for love. Especially the least of them among us. I can see how this started right here, in our not so little family. You welcomed every sibling with such genuine joy and delight. Even now, you love to make them smile, shower them with little gifts and surprises. You welcomed them even as you knew there would be a little more noise, a little less room.

You work hard every day. You want to excel at whatever the task put before you. Today it is writing an excellent paper for school. Tomorrow it might be plating a beautiful salad. No task is to small or menial that it doesn't deserve your best effort.

You have changed me in the best ways possible.

I love Maddy Bear! I pray you continue to grow in grace and wisdom. Many years!

Gratitude

It has been a long couple of weeks.

At the beginning of September, my Abuelita passed away. She had a long life. She had a big beautiful family. Her funeral and the few days I spent in Florida with my extended family were wonderful. Yes. Wonderful. I felt such peace. I felt so much love. It is hard to put into words. So much grace. 

But in the midst of it, there was unexpected grief. As I arrived in Florida I received the tragic news that an old friend from elementary school passed away suddenly. I had known him and his family since the fourth grade. His mother threw me a baby shower when I was expecting my first child. It hurt. It took my breath away if I think about it. As I saw all the old crew from school, I was so sad. Grown men yes, but I think I still saw boys. Boys who had just lost their best friend. It was difficult.

But we picked our heads up, got into the routine. School, jobs, soccer.

On Saturday, my world shattered again. Our friend Richard, who had coached Carmen for two years, currently coached Kay, passed away. Suddenly. Carmen helped him coach Kay's team. His daughter has played with Carmen for two years, and just this summer had moved with her to a new team. Richard and Penny were like family. The old team we had come from was very close. It was so good to have their familiar, warm presence with us at the new team. And he's gone. I still can't wrap my mind around it. I'm heartbroken.

Last night, we got the girls from Kay's team together, to hang out, share happy memories. To grieve. It was perfect.

Less than two years ago Carmen lost another mentor and support. I have been saying since that day that the worst day of my life was having to tell her he had died. Until this week. When I had to do it again, except with two daughters.

Today was "Club Day" in our parish homeschool group. I missed the meeting last month because I was at a funeral. And early this week, I wasn't sure if I would make it this month because of another funeral. God is good. The timing was what it needed to be. I spent my morning with 3 and 4 year olds. We learned about the Holy Trinity and the Sign of the Cross. The play dough I made was way too sticky. We didn't even get to everything I had planned. And...it was perfect. Those dear little ones had me at hello. What a beautiful group of children. I am so blessed. 

And then there was the weekly grocery store run, and getting home and putting it all away, and driving a big kid to an overnight job. And tomorrow I have to drive a kid to driver's ed class. And there is a soccer tournament. And the other daughter will be in Virginia Beach with Dave at her soccer tournament.

This evening, I am tired. My feet hurt a little bit. I'm pretty sure I forgot to eat lunch.

I am profoundly grateful. Thanks be to God!

Learning in the Margins

Carmen has a soccer game about an hour and a half away today. Two kids are out to lunch and a movie with Abuelos. One daughter is out working. There are three more soccer games this week. Did I mention its hot? Super hot.

Still, this morning, before I jumped into my day, I sat to eat some breakfast and drink my coffee. John snuggled up under a mountain of pillows on the couch next to me. I put on a podcast from the BBC, a science show called In Our Time. (Soon I will write about how much I love science podcasts. Love.) This episode was about neutrinos. Apparently John was listening because he suddenly sits up and says, "That's true right? Everything is made of particles. Everything." This got a small discussion going. I told him about atoms, and the even smaller particles that make up atoms. Then I remembered that I had grabbed this book, Albie's First Word, at the library. So, I pulled it out. Mara, who loves being read to, snuggled in to listen. And Ella for a brief moment. The book is a great introduction to Albert Einstein. No physics, no science at all. It speaks beautifully to the idea of giving children space and time to think, to ponder, to daydream. We read it. We talked about thinking about things and being creative. We talked about asking questions as we learn. 

It was a brief moment in a busy week. But it was a powerful reminder for me of what this learning at home is really about for my children. It is about space and time to ponder and daydream. It as about the freedom to go at their pace. It is about asking questions and finding answers together.

World Cup Thoughts

How about I just jump right in here and pretend like I've been faithfully blogging. Here goes.

Four years ago I wrote this post about the Women's World Cup. As I reread it before linking, I see how much is still true. The only big difference is that the little girl pictured there will turn 15 in just ten days. And her hair is very short now. Very short. Because she still plays soccer. She doesn't ever want to worry about doing up her hair or wonder if it looks just right when she steps on the pitch. This summer she is playing with the academy team for the Washington Spirit, the local pro team. She knows the coach. Really. He evaluated her when she tried out. He just showed up at her game a few weeks ago. It is a great program for aspiring young women. We're thrilled she is a part of this team. This fall she joins a new, highly competitive team. It is playing on a level that is challenging all her skills and fitness. She loves it. Every second of it.

Carmen's little sister Aggie is following in her footsteps. The joke (that Carmen doesn't always laugh about) is how soon Aggie will surpass her big sister in skill. What do you expect from a kid that was on soccer sideline pretty much from the day she was born.

What I didn't know four years ago is how much that game captured my husband. You will not find a bigger promoter and supporter of the women's game. His enthusiasm inspires and encourages his daughters. It is a beautiful thing. You will not find a bigger promoter and supporter of his daughters.

It was a thrilling game last night. A magnificent achievement. But please know, my favorite soccer players, I make them dinner every night.

How I relaxed and didn't relax about the new school year

Actually, I just want to share some things that are really working and a rough outline of what I'm doing this year,

Sam read Of Mice and Men recently and then asked me to get him The Grapes of Wrath. He started reading it, but now has paused. I asked him if he was interested in the Great Depression in general. He was, and so that set him down a trail for history and literature. I wanted him to understand the period just prior to the Great Depression so I am having him read Only Yesterday. It was written in 1931. It is an interesting read looking back on such recent history at the start of such a bleak era in American History. He is reading the Great Gatsby as well. So am I. Actually I am about to finish. Can you believe I never read it? I love it. Beautiful language. When he finishes he will read The Great Depression. This is a narrative history. He will also read King of the Hill. This a memoir of the era set in the Midwest. He will also read Cinderella Man. This is an autobiography (yes, like the movie) of a Depression Era boxer set in New York/New Jersey. He will also pick up reading The Grapes of Wrath again. So will I. By the way, Sam is 16 years old, technically a Junior.

The other thing that is working is ancient history. I outlined a course for Carmen to follow. This is the part where I didn't relax. She plays travel soccer and wants to play for UVA. I am a little anxious about her High School years. They need to be intentional and thorough. I cannot guess and mumble my way through a transcript for her. In any case, I like the course I have created for her. I can go into detail in another post. What I am enjoying is my decision to mostly pull along her siblings. We are still reading lots of just plain picture books. I am trying to structure these either seasonally or by author studies. But it is nice to have a history spine that is the same for this group. Even my kindergartner is enjoying the topics.

And. Khan Academy. Oh my goodness. My kids are all working through math at Khan Academy. Every single one of them loves it. Loves. They don't love math. They ask to do math. Wow. I supplement with worksheets or exercises and drills when I need to. Sometimes I watch with them, pause, makes sure they've understood, and then keep watching. So well done. Free. Amazing. This makes me love the Internet. Also awesome, the Art History and Science courses. I wrote Carmen's biology course based on their Crash Course:Biology. I can even track their progress and get reports.

Something new. I just ordered the very first Life of Fred book to start with my Johnny, my kindergartner. I think he will love it. I have wanted to try these books for a very long time. I may even use some for my older kids. We'll see.

We Begin Again

A new soccer season...

This fall I have four soccer players. Four. That is six practices and four games a week (my oldest young adult plays in an adult league, no practice.) That does not include three (more likely four) tournament weekends.

I love it. Yes, it is busy. Yes today was miserably hot. What the heck September?

But. But.

Kay played in her first soccer game ever. She was goalie for the second half and had a clean sheet. They won. Carmen is helping coach the team. The assistant coach for her travel team is Kay's coach. Aggie scored a goal today and nearly scored another sliding goal. She is seven, but the skill she is showing makes me grin like crazy. Carmen is also going to help coach this team. We have connections to them through Carmen's travel team as well. All in the family, right? Tomorrow Carmen plays. I can't wait. Nine weeks of this, I love it.

And yes, a new school year. I can't quite explain what I'm feeling this year. I have so many big kids now. And I have so many littles. I am finding the balance of teaching all of them. That means discussing The Great Gatsby with my grown son and pausing in the afternoon to bake cookies for tea time with my little son. It means Aggie practicing reading sitting with the toddler while I give my new high schooler some help.

I know I will complain some days. I know I will snap when I am interrupted for what feels like the hundredth time. I know I will be tired. Often. It will not be easy. His grace is sufficient and His mercy will make up for my weakness.

On Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning and sorting lots of toys. 

Why do my children have so many rocks? 

We have so much doll stuff. So much. 

I get a tiny bit obsessive about sorting and storing. And I mean down to what sits next to what on the shelves...all the toys that's build, hot wheels and superheroes should be near each other...and on and on it goes.

None of my containers match. None. Strangely enough, this does not bother me.

Why do my children have so many seashells?

The three year old likes to "help".  

I am both disgusted by and proud of how much my vacuum picks. 

Which leads me to wonder if the big kids actually vacuumed the basement all those times they were instructed to.

Very grateful for A.C.

Wish I had a fitbit. Because wow, countless trips up and down stairs.

This is just the opening act. Up next, the little girls room. The most frightening room in the house.

The Least of These

Can you imagine feeling so desperate and frightened for the future and life of your child that you would place them in a car, on a bus, in a plane alone, hoping that a family member far away will be able to find and care for them, knowing that the people your child is with only care for them as far the amount of cash you've handed over? Can you?
I talk often about the real moral evils my children deal with every day. And I rightly worry about the culture of death I battle every single day. They are real and frightening. But, they have a roof over their head, good food, clothing. If they went to school, I would not live in constant dread that they might not come home. I don't worry about gangs forcing me to pay "protection" money. I don't fear them witnessing a brutal attack on their father or rape of their mother.
I can't imagine feeling like the only hope for my child is sending them far away, indefinitely.
This is what I keep in mind as this whole "immigration" debate unfolds. These children are not criminals or somehow morally corrupt. They are innocent children. A culture of life does not criminalize them and simply demand their immediate removal back to the life-threatening situation they came from. We can do better. This is not about "open borders" or forgetting about the rule of law. Properly caring for these children does not mean either of those things. It is our duty as Christians to care for them mercifully and humanely.

Around the World

Soccer.

More soccer.

World Cup Soccer.

Carmen is so excited. Four years ago, when she was 10, she watched all but 2 games of the entire tournament. She already loved playing. But that summer ignited a burning passion for the beautiful game that has grown stronger these past 4 years. Now an avid fan, the names of these international players are as familiar to her as pop stars are to girls her age.

I am ready to savor the thrill and excitement of the next month right along with her.

Here we go!

In the World

I was struck this morning on this first day of Lent, of how the Divine Office urges us to be active in the world. Even as we "retreat" spiritually through these 40 days. I loved the words from Isaiah calling us to active participation to minister to those around us, "our own". What an amazing promise, that even as we give of ourselves,

"He will give strength to your bones

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water

whose waters never run dry."

Never run dry. Oh my. Rebuilding foundations. Such power in these words. Lord, grant me the grace to live them these 40 days.

Then and Now

This is to the mom at Wegman's today. You were having lunch with your four children, all little. You chatted with them. You had to tell the toddler to stop touching her brother's food. You had to promise another slice of pizza. You juggled a baby in your lap. Your oldest boy took the antics off his siblings in stride. 

I saw you and I smiled. I helped you clear your table. I know these days. Heck, I still have three little ones under five years old. 

But I have time. Time that seemed to pass slowly at first. Time marked by stinky diapers and tantrums, and first words and learning how to walk. But now? It flies by me, I can hardly keep up. 

Tomorrow my second child turns eighteen. Eighteen. She is grown up and beautiful and so loved by little sisters and brothers. 

I know you are tired mom. I know today at least two of those darlings were supposed to be in school. I told you it's okay. You'll survive this time. You'll look at your husband much too soon and wonder how it is you have adult children already. I know you said this was it, your limit. I know. It's okay. 

But for today I want you to know this. Your oldest? He is sweet. I could see by his easy smile and how he was ready to chat with me. Those middle cuties, they will be best friends before you know it. And that baby? She is stinking cute. Hold on tight, mom. It will go too fast. I promise.

When Life Hands You Split Peas...Make a Salad!

Yesterday I was tired. Beyond tired. The baby, battling a cold, had given me quite the night. Awake at 2 am and angry that I would not let her nurse AND let her pinch and scratch every inch of my exposed flesh. (Why this soothes her, I will never know.) She cried. A lot. I think I did too.

I was a zombie. Between that, the wonky schedule changes because of the weather and the bitter cold, not my best day. By 4 pm I gave in and took a brief nap. I woke up a wee bit better and went to tackle dinner. I did not want to cook. I had planned a lentil salad, only to realize that those were bags of split peas, NOT lentils, sitting in the pantry. I was still so cranky. I was sure I never wanted to look at another pirece of chicken as long as I lived. As I mucked around in the kitchen making dinner, dirtying one pot and pan after another, I apologized to Sam. His chore is dishes after meals. I must have sounded pathetic. My sweet son told me not to apologize. Of course I was getting things dirty, I was cooking the family's dinner. How was I expected to cook without getting some things dirty. Silly mom, don't apologize. 

Right there, a moment of grace and mercy. Even  with my bad attitude, all day, my son showed me in a moment gratitude and mercy. It lifted me up. 

Dinner was delicious. Did you know you can use split peas like you would lentils, just have to watch the cooking time very carefully so they don't become mushy? Yep. Salad was perfectly tasty.

God is good and so is my son. 

Roots and Shoots

Odd title, yes?

When I was a young mother with 4 kids 6 and under, living Advent intentionally was easy. Yes, you heard me. It was easy. It is so simple to prepare those young innocent hearts. So simple to sit down and read beautiful books. Really. As my family grew, I learned what it means to parents teens and young adults. It is a consuming task. I love it, truly. But then somewhere in that hustle and bustle of "big" kid parenting, my new crop of littles have gotten a bit short changed. Some circumstances have been beyond my control. Three of my children have birthdays between December 17th and 26th. That baby born on the 26th, he is turning five this year and his entrance into the world was not without its own drama.

I wanted more this year for my littles. I wanted to make the time to read and craft. I  wanted to make the time to prepare their hearts like I did for older children, not just hoping they'd tag along and just kind of soak it in. I want to hear little voices lisping the Advent song my now 13 year old loved to sing when she was 4. I want us to come to Christmas Eve having made ample room in our hearts for the Divine Infant.

Slowing down is really hard. It takes effort and sometimes hard choices. I'm digging deep, examining and asking of my older children, what rooted this season for you? I am adding and subtracting, finding what is essential and letting traditions once again flourish in our home.

We have always celebrated St. Nicholas. Nothing more than chocolate coins and few other sweet treats left in shoes. We bake Speculaas. This year I mentioned to Lilly (17 year old) that maybe I should do more, like "everyone" else. She strenuously objected. They loved the way we celebrated, why mess with it, why worry about "everyone". Old tradition, deeply rooted.
 
Last year, the day Ella was born, December 19, my older children directed all their little siblings and set up the Christmas tree so it would be up and ready to welcome us when we came home. It still brings tears to my eyes. A new tradition. Ella's birthday will be our tree trimming day.

We are reading our favorite books and adding new ones. Johnny is learning the Advent song and Mara loves "her" candles. They know the Baby is coming and it gives them joy. Me too.

On This Feast Day

Just a few notes to myself, to capture some moments I want to cherish on one of my favorite feasts...     

Very simple, just chocolate coins and candy cane cups (like a peanut butter cup but with a minty, candy cane filling, yummy) in their shoes. But oh, how it delights them.

Reading The Miracle of St. Nicholas, getting teary, again. Thinking Mara is not paying attention at all, but when we get to the page about the candle, she stops me to point at the Advent wreath and says, "Mama, these are MY candles." Thinking Johnny is not paying attention, but then when we get to the page about the bread, he stops me to ask me, "Is that the bread that becomes Jesus? See, I knew that!" Kay's delight at "knowing all along" that the shoemaker is the priest. The "big" girls not too big to listen intently to a picture book.

Baking speculaas. Because we do it every year.

This year, we'll read a new St. Nicholas book as we wait for cookies to come out of the oven, The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale.

Joyous Feast dear friends! St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes:Waterpark Edition

1. Went to the waterpark with the kids yesterday. Met up with my parents, my sister and cousins. Honestly, I was dreading it just a little, because, you know, waterpark with all the kids, especially 4 yo, 2yo and 7 month old.

2. It was awesome! I had so much fun with my littles. So much fun. Mara floating down the lazy river in her little safety vest was hysterical. She just puts her head back and closes her eyes. I just hold her feet so she doesn't get away from me. Watching Johnny go down the little kid slides over and over again does wonders for the soul.

3. Ella does not like the pool. At all.

4. We were getting ready to leave. I changed Mara, had her all ready in her dry clothes. I firmly admonished her not to go near the water again. Then it rained, like a minute later, like torrential. Like Mara was soaked.

5. If you don't own a proper bathing suit, do not go to the waterpark. No lady, a cami over your bra does not count.

6.At one point, I went to look for my parents. I found them standing near the snack bar, with 6 of their grandchildren, all ages 6 and under, from 3 different families. It was so beautiful! I wish so badly I could have snapped a picture. Even so, I won't forget for a long time.

7. I was tired last night.

Early August: Gathering My Thoughts

Right now~My three littles are playing around me. Earlier I played  a game with just Johnny (4) and Mara (2). John told me it always more fun when I play with them. Honestly, I get so caught up in the business of my big kids lives, I forget to just sit and play with my littles. I love the big span of years I've been blessed to have children. But this "middle" part right now of young adults AND babes and toddlers...its hard. Worth it, so worth it, but hard.

In a little while~I'm out to sign up Kay (9) for dance and pick up big girls from the mall.

This week~Carmen's never-ending soccer. She has joined a travel team. We are very happy about the team. Its a great fit, great families. We are very excited to see her get to play at a more competitive level. But good grief, it is a lot of soccer. She couldn't be happier.

Anna tests for her black belt on Saturday! So proud!

Hopefully Thursday will be nicer outside and we'll enjoy a day at the waterpark with the cousins.

Praying~Well, I want to say, cancer sucks. But you all know that, right? So, since complaining is futile, all I have is prayer. For family, for friends.

In the schoolroom~Lots of deep cleaning, lots of planning. Feeling good. And so strange to not plan for Maddy. Maybe I'll share some plans. I also have a new year of art class to lay out, an 8 week Botany course for grade 1-2 and a little boys virtues (imagine Justice League meets the saints, so excited to do this with Johnny this year) club to plan for.

In the kitchen~Need serious crock pot/casserole/teen-can-pull-together menu planning. Falls is busy, but I a still committed to good healthy food on the table every night, even if we eat in shifts.

Living the Liturgy~Ugh, personal prayer. Yeah, that's where I'm at. Working on it. 

Oh yeah, did I mention Carmen gets confirmed and Aggie makes her First Communion this year?

Time to go get the girls. Consider this my feeble attempt to jump back into the blogging. 

Five Favorites: No Sleep Edition

http://moxiewife.com/2013/04/five-favorites-vol-10/.html

 

1. Vanilla Sugar. I made a cake that required vanilla bean this weekend. Part of the reason I picked this cake was because I wanted a reason to buy vanilla bean, use it in the recipe and then put the pod in a container with sugar. I wanted to do this because I have heard how incredibly awesome the sugar becomes once the vanilla begins to share its essence with the sugar. All true. Awesome. And now I must find ways to add vanilla sugar to everything.

2. This Virginia wine. I picked it up at my local Wegmans. It was for the same party that required the cake with vanilla bean. I purchased totally on a whim. The party was around teatime with light fare. Lots of fruit and cheese and a chicken salad. I had never tasted it. I vacillated between worry that it would be too sweet and cloying with peach and confidence that it was the perfect choice. It was perfect. Yay me!

3. Baptisms. This Sunday we baptized Ella and Mara. The reason and circumstances for Mara being two years old I won't go into. Suffice it to say I am so so happy. It was lovely. My girlies looked darling. 

4. St. Gianna Molla. Sunday was her feast day. I did not know this when I scheduled the date. But this dear saint did. When I was pregnant with Mara, right after a complicated pregnancy with John necessitating a pre-term delivery, I was nervous. I was lucky enough to be blessed with a relic of St. Gianna and I begged her intercession to keep me and baby healthy. I stayed healthy, but had some pre-term labor. The family and I weathered it all beautifully and Mara is a sweet delight in our home. 

Much to my surprise, and pretty far into it, I realized I was pregnant with Ella. So uncomplicated was this pregnancy, I had no (NONE) morning sickness, very little fatigue, excellent overall health. Once again I begged the saint's prayers and once again was able to be blessed with a relic. Sunday morning I realized this was her feast. I am so delighted my little girls will share their baptism day with the saints who interceded so powerfully for us.

5. Fresh flowers on my table...or kitchen island....or counter. I bought a bunch of white tulips to decorate for Sunday. Carmen went out a snipped some small branches of Virginia Redbud to add to the vase. It was so pretty! The Redbud was already fading, so it didn't last past Sunday. But the tulips are still going strong and look lovelier every day. I've decide a small bunch of flowers is a good thing to add to the grocery list every week.

Check out more favorites at Moxie Wife.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Gospel- John 20: 19-31

This week keep praying the Divine Mercy Novena (started on Good Friday).

Learn how to pray Divine Mercy Chaplet. Beautiful audio can be found here.

From The Liturgical Year by Inos Biffi- Read pages 82-83

From the Office of Readings-

1 Peter 1: 3-5

Baptism is a symbol of Christ's Passion (St. Cyril of Jerusalem)

Read Lolek- The Boy Who Became Pope John Paul II by Mary Hramiec Hoffman and Mark Hoffman.

Copywork:

May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star: the one Morning Star who never sets, Christ your Son, who coming back from death’s dominion has shed his peaceful light on humankind, and lives and reigns for ever and ever.

(from the end of the Easter Exultet)

Make a wool art depiction of the image of Divine Mercy. This is like a painting with wool instead of paints. See here for what you’ll need. See here for how to do it.

Paint your own peg doll of St. Faustina and Our Lord as he appeared to her.

Psalms in Living Color- We will be reading and illustrating Psalm 104 for the next few weeks.  This week read verse 1-4 and illustrate.

“Bless the LORD, my soul! LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory,

robed in light as with a cloak. You spread out the heavens like a tent;

you raised your palace upon the waters. You make the clouds your chariot; you travel on the wings of the wind.

You make the winds your messengers; flaming fire, your ministers.

Links

Novena Prayer Ring (from Diary of a Sower)

Divine Mercy Sunday (Catholic Mom)

Divine Mercy Sunday (Catholic Culture)

Divine Mercy Devotion (EWTN)

Divine Mercy Icon Coloring Page (by Charlotte of Waltzing Matilda)

Divine Mercy for Young Hearts CD-ROM (Some free sample pages here)

Divine Mercy Chaplet for Kids (EWTN)

St. Faustina (That Resource Site)

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