What You Love Affects Everything

Nothing is more practical than finding God, 

that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.  

What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, 

will affect everything.  

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, 

what you will do with your evenings, 

how you spend your weekends, 

what you read, who you know, 

what breaks your heart, 

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.  

Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.  

Pedro Arrupe, SJ

My Mom 1941 - 2016

Unexpected and sad, my mother passed away unexpectedly last month.  Geri Reynolds went home to heaven at the early age of 74, on April 12, 2016.  Her favorite quote:  Sooner or later everything works out for the best.

Life is Blooming

Stations of the Cross with Intro

Needle Felting - Beagle

I've always wanted to try needle felting.  Using a kit made it easier.  I made this over a weekend.

Quote from Barchester Chronicles

Rev. Septimus Harding: If there is no music, there is no mystery. If there is no mystery, there is no God. If there is no mystery, there is no faith. Have I lived for sixty years on a misunderstanding?

Remembering 911

Every year many Canadian students visit the 911 Memorial Museum in New York City to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. During one section of the tour a video tells the story of a New York fire-fighter who gave his life to help others get to safety.  He was the fourth generation in his family to be a fireman, and is pictured standing with his father and grandfather. Afterwards, students realized their tour guide was the father of that fireman in the video. He encouraged them to remember what had happened, remember his son, and those who had given their lives.  Remember the lessons they had learned, because remembering the past is the only way to build a world where justice, compassion, and respectful, keep us safe.  

So today we remember and consider ways we can affect world peace in our lives, here at the school and as citizens in a global world as we pray:  Heavenly Father, help us to remember all those lost to terrorism.  Our hearts cry out for an end to the injustices that cause others to respond with acts of violence.  Help us to end the potential for future war and the loss of innocent lives.  Give us the grace to forgive those, who mistakenly commit acts of violence, believing it to be just.  Help us to reach out to each other, as brothers and sisters, and work for the good of all.

Power of a Smile

I never get tired of watching this video.  Warning it will make you smile!

Doing Your Best

Enveloped in Color and Art

The Sky;s the Limit by Michael Hayden

This underground walkway  at Chicago Airport connecting Concourse B to C envelopes passengers in a mile-long kinetic light sculpture composed of 466 neon tubes and 23,600 square feet of mirror over head.  It was so enjoyable I was glad that I had time to walk slowly.  This week's Daily Post Photo Challenge.

Intricate Meditation

The word intricate speaks of patterns to me.  Just about 2 years ago I discovered a form of meditative drawing.  Zendoodle or Zentangle or tangling.  The repetitive and intricate patterns free you from thinking too hard, which is always my struggle.  The intricate patterns and structure are a springboard to freedom for my thoughts and creativity.  This week's Daily Post Photo Challenge a photo that captures intricate.

 

 

Prayer for Nepal

 

Mary, Mother of Compassion and Mercy, we pray for all those effected by the earthquake in Nepal.  Please be with the rescue workers and all those who are doing everything to bring aid.  Keep them safe as they make heroic efforts in dangerous situations to rescue those in trouble.  Please give strength and comfort to everyone waiting to be rescued, keep them safe, and let help come to them soon.  Mother inspire individuals and nations to send aid, and donate whatever is needed so that all affected will have enough food, clean water and proper shelter.  Mother please intercede for all those affected by this disaster and surround them with Your love and protection.  Please send angels of healing and peace to be with everyone involved.  Let them know that there are millions of us praying for them and their loved ones.  Thank you for all the miracles that have already occurred, and for the mercy of God constantly at work.  To Him be all the praise and glory.  Amen

based on: http://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/in-times-of-natural-disaster.cfm

A Pup in Motion Tends to Stay in Motion

Sammy is part beagle and part lab.  He's always in motion, but when it comes to visiting the lake in Goshen, CT you can be sure it will be non-stop motion.  He loves to play fetch until he drops.  We've thought about getting him a life preserver just because we're afraid he'll drown one day from exhaustion.  He is a care center dog who knows how to play hard!!!  It isn't too hard to capture him in motion this week's Daily Post Photo Challenge.

Life in Motion

The motion my lens enjoys capturing the most is covered with feathers.  As a kid my grandmother had a seed feeder, and we'd see feathers of so many colors.  Climbing trees as a kid, looking into nests, I think that's where I first dreamed of seeing life and the world from a bird's view.  This week's Daily Post Photo Challenge.