Carnivals of the Church Year - Pentecost

The Pentecost Carnival is up!

Please go visit Jessica at Homemaking Through the Church Year to read all the great contributions!

Pentecost - Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Saint Augustine of Hippo

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.


Photo Credit

Carnivals of the Church Year - Pentecost

Pentecost is approaching rapidly and my thoughts drift to the power of the Holy Spirit as displayed in my life. Those of us who worship in liturgical churches celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the early Church at the descent of the Holy Spirit after the ascension of Jesus. What follows Pentecost is known as Ordinary Time or the Pentecost Season. Ordinary Time is my favorite season of the church year. Some might think it is boring with no major feasts like Christmas and Easter but I love the stability of Ordinary Time. I love the focus on the work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.

The Holy Spirit is known by many names: Author of Scripture, Comforter, Convicter of Sin, Guide, Indweller of Believers, Intercessor, Revealer/Spirit of Truth, Spirit of God, Spirit of Life, Teacher, Witness etc. All are made known in Holy Scripture and related to His function or His ministry on earth. His breadth and depth are for us to discover and inwardly know -- and respond to -- as we move through our lives. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own. It is our duty to respond the Holy Spirit working in our lives and make Him known to all!

The Holy Spirit in Times of Deep Personal Crisis
When I look back at the most difficult time in my life, I find the time I truly discovered the depth of the power of the Holy Spirit. During this time I found a strength that did not come from me - it could only come from an almighty triune God through the Holy Spirit. As a mother anticipating the impending death of her beloved child, I was filled with a deep, searing pain beyond description. As I watched and supported my daughter, Michelle, as she suffered a slow, excruciating death and I knew deeply and profoundly that the Lord was always near and that the power of the Holy Spirit would fill me with the strength I needed to support her through her suffering and passing -- and never leave me as I grieved her loss.

Today, I live in awe – total, absolute amazement and wonder of God’s work on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am humbled by the knowledge that He dwells in me - a lowly sinner who struggles and stumbles when I don't turn to God first. I am grateful for that God infused strength I know to get me through the hardest thing any parent can do - witness the suffering and death of a child...and then learn to live without the child. The strength I had during that time was truly miraculous because all I really wanted to do was selfishly lie down and die with her. I understood though, that this life wasn't really mine, but His and to be lived to glorify Him with the gifts He bestowed on me. It is my hope that I glorified Him during the deepest crisis of my life.

The Holy Spirit in More Ordinary Times

My life, for the last few years, has been chaotic to say the least. It has not been easy dividing my time between seminary and home, homeschooling my children, and giving my time and talents to the Church in a difficult political climate. I could go on and on about what has filled my hours but ultimately what it comes down to is weariness. I’ve been in survival mode for quite a long time. This is definitely not the hardest period of time in my life but it has been difficult. I freely confess my knowledge that I did not do this alone. I did it with help, for my weariness runs deep. It is only by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit we not only did this but did it well! Despite the weariness, I know joy and peace because of our obedience - conforming our lives to what God has willed for us. I know a new sense of trust – trust that God has a plan and I must wait for His timing. I will know it on His time, not mine. I can rest and not worry about the details, for the details are not mine to worry about.

Every day I wake up with a grateful heart knowing God has a plan for me whether it be in my own home supporting my husband, raising and educating our children and/or out in the community. I take comfort in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me, to give me the words I need to deal with two adolescent daughters – one with significant special needs, to deal with my extended family’s ongoing crisis state, to laugh and cry with my friends as we all make our way through this earthly life. I know in a profound sense that I am never alone and He will give me what I need to sustain me and give my best, through His grace and strength, to those who travel with me on this earthly journey.

Please visit Jessica at Homemaking Through the Church Year for Carnivals of the Church Year - Pentecost.

Asking for prayer....

Remember Charity? She has had quite a bumpy road to recovery. Charity is having major reconstructive surgery tomorrow on her trachea. Please remember her, her family and all who care for her in your prayers.

More DownsEd Materials...

Available online for free!

Social Development for Individuals with Down Syndrome - An Overview

Motor Development for Individuals with Down Syndrome - An Overview

These materials are packed with useful information for the parents of kiddos with Down syndrome!

Pentecost Blog Carnival

Coming soon as a part of Carnivals of the Church Year is looking for submissions.



This carnival is hosted this year by Jessica of Homemaking Through the Church Year and next year by Kerry of A Ten O'Clock Scholar

I'm so far behind in real life that I doubt I will participate though I have many lovely ideas but try to send in your submissions by Friday!

A Crazy Month...

Filled with many blessings--one of which was my birthday! It doesn't bother me to grow older. Some wrinkles and and a few extra pounds don't bother me much though I would love to lose some weight to feel healthier. With every year I know more peace and fuller joy. My life is filled with so many blessings and my heart is so thankful.

My birthday was awesome! K baked me a wonderful cake inspired by a dessert we like at The Bubble Room in Captiva, Florida.



Orange Crunch Cake

Adapted from All Recipes

Ingredients

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (18 1/4 ounce) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 tablespoons orange zest, grated
2 (16 ounce) can vanilla frosting
3 tablespoons orange zest, grated
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease and flour two 9-inch pans.

Crunch Layer

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, walnuts, and butter. Divide mixture evenly between the prepared pans. Set aside.

Cake

In a medium bowl, mix together cake mix, water, orange juice and oil until blended.

Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in the orange zest.

Pour mixture evenly over the crunch layer in the pans.

Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

In a medium bowl, beat the vanilla frosting until light and fluffy. Add food coloring for orange color.

Stir in the orange and lemon zest.

Assembly

Place one layer on cake plate, crunch side up, frost. Place second layer crunch side up and frost on top and sides.

Refrigerate.

Yummy and quite worth the effort! Thanks to my thoughtful, sweet daughter!

Among my gifts:



A Blackberry! And...Blackberry For Dummies They know me too well :-)

The Class of 2009

at Nashotah House Theological Seminary:



My hubby graduated cum laude - not bad for an old guy :-)



Everyone is asking me what they should call him and in what order. Reverend? Doctor? Captain (USN)?

I laugh and say - just call him Frank. I have to live with this guy!

On the Road

Our road trips are never boring. Traveling home we stalked a semi carrying this load:




And no, I would never take pictures out the window barreling down I-75.

I just can't understand why this one is so blurry but it has a haunting look to it



From a distance I thought we were following a statue of Jesus but as we got closer I just wasn't sure. What do you think?

A little closer to home on I-57 in Effingham, IL we passed this:



We decided to stop for a closer look



More information about The Cross

Reading is cool...

At the beach--


And at the pool.



One is reading Jane Eyre and the other is reading...well, SpongeBob. Whatever it takes to keep her motivated to read and grow her skills I will use to her benefit!

The Beauty in God's Creation

Takes my breath away every evening here in my little piece of paradise. To my delight, we observed a green flash (a fairly unusual event that occurs as the sun sets) this week. I tried to capture it on camera without success so this beauty will have to do!



Sunset at the north end of Captiva Island at Redfish Pass.

Voted Best Pool...

of the trip - the place with the water slides! This is both girls leaving the slides at the same time. I can't tell you how much practice this shot took but no one seemed to mind.



R is having the time of her life - her joy is contagious!



A little sand fun to bring a smile to your world:



From K



and R

Yes, this is the life...

Blogging in the Pink, A Woman's Guide...

Just thought I would let you know I loved the e-book by Michelle Mitchell of Scribbit, Motherhood in Alaska called Blogging the in Pink: A Woman's Guide!

There is so much left unsaid about the blogosphere but Michelle says it all in her book quite clearly and succinctly. I follow several bloggers whose business is to share blogging tips but this book really puts what blogging is all about in one place and gives the big picture in baby steps..and its free! The dos and don'ts alone are priceless

I've printed it out to read again - always a sign of something good in my eyes. Thanks, Michelle, for all your hard work!

If You Love Someone with Down Syndrome

My friend, Amy at A Redeemed Sheep, has some free blog buttons on her blog. I can't decide between them...