Olympics ongoing training for the dream

I have been watching the Olympics and how hard they train and the time to compete is so short. 

I find myself asking am I as committed to the things I need to do for my life's dream?

What would that on going  preparation be? 

Hosea says love tenderly, act justly, walk humbly with your God. 

Yes that is enough!!

Witnessed today the effect one person can have on the world

This morning went to Howard Young in Woodruff for the dedication of a park to Dr. Kate. Dr. Kate was very connected to the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in the North woods. She was woman of great compassion and service to those in need.


It was very touching to hear the stories told. Some of the babies she delivered were there. Dr.Kate was know as the angel on  snow shoes, so that should give you an idea of what she was about. 


The Sisters prayed she would get her own hospital. One of her nurses husband was a geometry teacher at local school.  She shared the story of the one penny collection. The children had no idea what a million of anything looked like. One of the students involved in this was there to share the story. they started a collection of pennies in the city and later nation wide. They collected a million pennies, had a parade to celebrate this feat. The student shared she then had to go to the school auditorium and sit in a large kettle with the million pennies. People came from all over to see this and threw more money at the kettle. They collected more than enough money to finish Dr. Kate's hospital, buy equipment and have some left over for operations. 


Today I gained more that I imagined. The profound effect that one person with a vision and passion can have in this world. She simply did what she believed in with care and compassion.

Life's journey

Today visited my brother in Chippewa Falls, it is his 96 birthday. He says his legs are some what weak today but so would mine be if they are 96 years old. I brought cake for him and the rest of his assisted living friends and a flower. Much appreciated.


We went out to eat at his favorite place and his favorite waitress made him pecan muffin with a candle. He was thrilled she remembered it was his birthday.


 It takes so little to make someone you love happy.


I am sure you have done something today to also make someone you love happy. Isn't it grand !!

Today-appreciate

I am sure you are as upset and startled as I am about the shooting in Colorado. It truly is a senseless act by a very sick person. 


The lesson for me today is to tell those I meet, work with and love that I appreciate them. Life is truly short and I don't want to miss  the chance to let them know I care.


I did take a few moments today to pray for everyone involved, those hurt, the survivors and their loved ones. . I then said a prayer for the shooter because I don't know the pain he has to do such a thing.

Been through it before

Listened to an interesting reflection today on change. Change is the norm and we all have been though it before. In some cases it isn't easy and others a breeze but in either case we all have made it and learned something from it. 


Sometimes it helps to think of positive change we made it through. For me becoming a RN, graduating from Marquette when I was on probation in school during most of my earlier studies. Graduation with a MS degree. Having the grace to follow God's call as a religious to be able to witness God's love for me so others can see God's love for them. 


The most recent changes of getting older is really interesting. Learning to accept the things I would like to do but best not, like ride a motorcycle, bungee jump, hike the Appalachian trail  and so many more. Lucky we have dreams. Then again age does provide some wisdom which one can freely share with another. 


Recently lot of changes at my ministry. New directors to get to know and see how they do things. I did get comfortable with the ones who left. Isn't that the way it always goes.


In the painful changes I have experienced when it was all over and done there remained some positive growth for me. It is at them time I didn't always think that would happen. I learned hang in there as it will change again. Sometimes that is consoling and sometimes well not so.


Tomorrow brings a new day to experience in a new way. May you enjoy the changes in your life. Don't forget to take the time to enjoy the ride.

Life's journey

Today I went to see my brother who is an assisted living facility in Chippewa Falls. He is great and all is well. He will be 96 at months end. He is walking slower but he tells me so will you when you are 96!


While there I met on of the jocks from my high school graduation class. He was visiting his older brother. My classmate is on his 2nd wife, had heart surgery and did not look like the jock from High school. It is amazing what the years can do or is it our perspective or is it lifestyle? 


I had a safe drive there and back. It is always amazing to me what thoughts go through my mind when I have a few (4) hours of private alone time with no radio just with ones inner self. 


Thank you God for being there for me, guiding me on the right path, putting persons in my journey to assist me. I pray you grant the same for all those who are friends, co-workers and those who have asked for prayers.

Spirituality of change

There is a lot of change going on in my work life right now.  We have several new Directors at who started this past week. Seeing the Saint Clare's Ministry through new eyes is very interesting. Two have commented on how friendly everyone is. 

Some Directors are leaving for new opportunities. I told one I am grieving and in another day in denial. I have become accustom to how I have worked with them and the new are not known yet. 

I am glad to hear new Directors are experiencing friendly welcome atmosphere. Because as you know I don't believe the values should be on the wall in a mission statement but lived in the lives of everyone in the organization. 

Jesus calls us into a life in his kingdom where change is not optional. 

He requires a lifestyle of change. Jesus told his followers, “I tell you the

truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom or Heaven." I pray we can take a minute to reflect on how a little child sees things trusting each day that loved ones will be there for them.

That all sounds very doable. Which of us does not like a little child's way of seeing the world. But most of us are not that little child anymore. Some have lost their ability to trust that all will work out.  For these change is more difficult. 

Have you tried to change your diet? Get out on the other side of the bed? Feed yourself with other hand? I had to make a lot of changes in how I did everyday life when I had surgery on my right hand, believe me it wasn't easy. 

Joyce Rupp a spiritual writer says unless you say goodbye you cant say hello. 

So good bye to the old and hello to the new whatever it might be. In the meantime I pray for the grace to say thank you to what was and welcome, come in to what might be.

How are you with change?

Life Choices

The other day I shared I am in process of looking at several life choices. Don't worry retirement isn't one at this time.


The Gospel for this weekend was interesting. It talked about Jesus inability to help those who had no faith in Him, or in God's message. He proved a prophet is not accepted by those who are familiar with them. Those who are familiar only see the ordinary and do not hear the message that is given. Am I willing to be a prophet if it mean not being accepted?


Paul talked about asking God to relieve him from a thorn in his side. Whatever that was it didn't happen. Paul goes on to say my grace is sufficient for you. I believe that but in times of uncertainty
I would prefer a note from God!


I mentioned I started reading the book Walking with God in a fragile world.   I asked myself what are the messages for me in these chapters? 


Frederick Buechner, ordained Presbyterian minister says " the world has always been fragile and for some reason God made it that way". We have a choice from being children of God or problem children. He further explains there cross does not have a body as Jesus has risen from the dead. He doesn't suffer any more but Christians are called to be his body" 


Maybe that is what Paul was experiencing. Question I have is what do I do with my suffering, with the suffering of others that I experience. Am I a source of hope or false hope by saying you will be alright. 


Another chapter by William Coffin, who worked for CIA, studied theology and became a minister, said "all religions are different--that is certain. But most religions seek to fulfill the same function, that is, they strive to convert people from being self-preoccupation to the wholehearted giving up of oneself in the love for God and for others. St.Paul said 'make love your aim"


What does all this mean to me, Whatever choice that is made it needs to be one in which the Love of God and God's people is central and I am energized to this end.

Searching

I have the day off. Not too sure what that means. There always seems so much to do, stove to clean, basement cob webs to chase, flower garden to weed.. It is too hot to have much ambition.
Did some essential shopping this morning you know the stuff we need to live in peace and quiet.
Is it a good day for soul searching? Does it really matter as my soul searches as it wishes. There are ever ending questions.
Am I making a difference where I am or am I just there and it doesn't matter if I make a difference or am I to just me and be satisfied with not knowing if I make a difference?
Am I doing what I am called to do to Be? My spiritual director says God doesn't care what I choose, both choices are equal and good.
Is endless activity a distraction from inner reflection or does the activity of the day have a key to be found?
Went to our home library and stood there. A book jumped at me titled walking with God in a fragile world.
God surely works in interesting ways.
Keep in touch will let you know what gives with this venture.

The poor you will always have with you

Helpless feelings day today. 
Met one employee yesterday who asked for the Sisters to pray for her she said "I have cancer of the breast" and walked out of my office. It was like I have a mosquito bite. Saw her today and asked how she is she said I am truly in my head but now they think it might be in both breasts. I did offer to be there for her. Wished I could do more. I realize grieving is a process and not an event.
Another employee came today and asked for some help, she is evicted has two very little children, she is working s few hours when she can which is not often, applying for disability, no gas money and no way to move and no place to move to. I tried to give her what little assistance we could give by some gas money to get to some places that might help her. 
It's in times like these one feels so helpless, at least I do. It is hard to be thankful with what I have when others are hurting and have little. 
Say a prayer something good happens for them.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Today we celebrate on  the 4th of July the Independence celebration of our country. We have freedom of speech, the right to gather, to worship, to live where we want, to express our religion in public, choose our friends, to seek work, to have a education, to have recalls, have a voice in our government. Women can vote, drive, choose their partner in life, work, be the primary wage earner. We can choose and seek our vocation in life. 

As we watch the news we know these rights and freedoms are not available to many of the world. Many suffer much under oppressive systems. Sometimes we add to the oppressive system by our behaviors in not respecting the freedom of those with whom we come in contact. Why?

Today let us pray we don't take our freedom for granted. Let us thank God for the country in which we live. 

We also need to take care of where we live so we can continue to enjoy where we live. Sensitivity to creation is part of freedom and not to be taken for granted. Many are enjoying the out of doors this day, the woods, camp grounds, water or just being able to sit on their deck or enjoy their back yard without fear of being harmed.

Happy Independence day to all and treasure your independence. Follow your dream.