My reflection...

I am honored to say that my sister Katrina chose me to be her Sponsor in receiving her Sacrament of Confirmation in our Church. Confirmation is the Sacrament in the Catholic Church where the member receives the Holy Spirit into their life and accepts it as an adult. She is seventeen years old, and in a time that Church may be the last thing on her mind, yesterday I was very impressed. Upon Confirmation, they are accepting what the priest referred to as the WUFF PCKG. Wisdom, Understanding, Faith, Fear of the Lord, Piety, Council, Knowledge, and Good acts. Hmmmmm. I may not be exact, but remembered most:) We spent the entire day listening to talks and other's experience of vocation and it was peaceful and invigorating at the same time. Let me say, I was very impressed with my sister. It was a retreat for the entire diocese, and many students hung with their friends and stayed away from their parents or sponsors. Katie stuck with me the entire time when she could. At several parts of the day, they seperated the Sponsors from the students to hear different talks and after each one she would come search me out in the hundreds of the crowd, and just plop right up next to me. She even wanted me to sit with her at breaks. Even down to when the Bishop came to celebrate Mass at the end of the treat. I was a pretty proud big sister.

As I have grown through life, from a teenager, to young adult in highschool, then in college, then as a wife and now as a mother, I have one most favorite thing about the Church, and that is the Holy Spirit. I have been so very blessed in my life, and when I can, I like to take a chance to talk about it. There are times that I am so overwhelmed with all my blessings, all I can think to do is pray and thank God for them. Some people may ask what the Holy Spirit is. My explanation is the spirit of God. Like when I whelt up in tears of happiness watching my husband play with my two beautiful healthy kids. That is me being filled with the Holy Spirit. Just wonderful feelings of joy. So happy in your life, you want to cry.

Or when I sat in the Church yesterday listening to the priest talk about vocations. Realizing that in that very church, I received my Sacrament of Confirmation, Marriage, and my two children both received their Sacrament of Baptism. How awesome!

I prayed that I could be a good role model in the church to my sister for the rest of her life. That she may see how my relationship with God has helped me in my life, and made me the person I am today. And as they mentioned above, it is all about living it.

On another note: I want to reflect on the power of prayer. My sister Terressa, had applied for a very awesome job about two weeks ago. She is a single mother of two children, working very hard to support them and raise them the best she knows how. She has worked late nights as a waitress for almost a year now, getting by. I am so proud of her. As we all know in this economy it isn't easy getting a job, or let alone getting a job you really want. So, for two grueling weeks she waited for a call. Talk about emotional ups and downs. They kept telling her every couple days, that they would call her in a "couple days" with a decision. Well, as time passed she expected she may not get it. Each morning I say the rosary on the way to work, and I have said a special prayer to God to help Terressa out and let her get this job. She needed it so bad. In my prayers, I kept thinking. God is good, and he knows Terressa needs it, so there is really no need to worry. I even had a dream that she got it, and she called me celebrating last Wednesday. It is weird, but I seem to have dreams that actually occur, so I had a good feeling. She WILL get the job. My Dad is a teacher, and he had all of his students saying prayers each day for Terressa. My Mom, (no real need to say this cuz we all know) prayed her heart out everyday for her.

On Friday night, My Mom was checking her email, and received that email about Saint Theresa. She said she hardly ever reads forwards, and let alone sends them on, but she decided to this time.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one.

Mom said, she finished the prayer and forwarded it on, and she heard her phone ringing within in that second. Do you know it was Terressa?! They had called her at 7pm on a Friday night to give her the news. SHE GOT THE JOB!

All, I can say is Wow. The power of prayer, I tell you. God is awesome! And you know she is ready to work. She told them she could start today! So, say a little prayer for her in her new venture!

On to my next reflection: YES, THIS IS AN EXTRA LONG ONE. But please read on.

So, many know that Jake and I just celebrated our Five Year anniversary. Well, we both turn 30 this year also.Poor guy hit is 6 months before me... Pretty memorable year for us, and what better reason to make it that much more memorable. We have tried to go to Hermann, MO each year to celebrate our anniversary. So, Jake had a great idea for this year. We both have good bikes, and the Katy Trail extends from Hartsburg to Hermann. Why don't we make the goal of biking the trip to Hermann, and stay in a Bed and Breakfast for a couple nights to celebrate. It is between a 45 and 50 mile bike trip depending on where we would begin. Now, REMINDER, I have NEVER done anything like this before in my life. With my hip problems, overall lengthy physical activities can be cause to quite a bit of irritation on my hip. And since, I have always stuck to physical activities that wouldn't irritate. I mean I have had it for 17 years of my life. I know what to do and what not to do. So, why do you think I so dearly wanted a bike last year for my birthday! TO BIKE! So, that is our goal. We will make the 45 mile trip in one day on June 11th. I have 2.5 months to train, and I am thinking it will be easy right?! HHA! I don't know we shall see. This is just so HUGE for me. I have yet to hit the road this season yet. But tonight, Jake and I are beginning the train. And I don't know that I have ever been more excited in my life about a goal we have made. This is a goal with each other and yet for ourself. So wish us luck!

And with that being said, all else is pretty well in the Holee realm!