You Can Order Becky's Book: The Little Flower: A Parable of St. Thérèse of Liseux

Leila of the Little Catholic Bubble blog once referred to Becky Arganbright  as "Our Becky." She blogs at http://homegreathome.blogspot.com. I have read her other blogs, and she is an inspiration to us all.

Becky wrote a book, which you can order from Gracewatch Media

"Becky Arganbright has adapted St. Thérèse’s lesson of the little flowers into a delightful parable for children. The young Thérèse learns that even though she might be little, with God’s help, her littleness can be a way of doing great things for the Kingdom of God."

Click Here to Order Wonderful Book 

Rosary Awkwardness

I always need a cheat booklet when saying the rosary, probably because I don't say it that often. If with others, and it's my turn to lead I mess up without my booklet. And I always lose track of what bead I am on. I know that is the purpose of the beads - to help you keep track of your Hail Marys.

I have leadership skills in other areas, but not in the rosary.

Medical Problems - Sinkhole

Hi. Thank you for your comments and prayers.
My father is better off than he was in July, but worse off since March.

It's all very sad for the both of us.

I wish I could say I watched all the Pope Francis in America events, but I did not see any of it.

Medical Industrial Complex Sinkhole

My father had a minor injury several months ago and went to the hospital. Big mistake. Now he is sucked in and getting sicker and sicker and sicker. I can't save him. I want to. He can't save himself. Maybe there will be a miracle. Didn't an angel release the chains when St. Paul was in prison? Am I correct?

Sure, modern medicine can be wonderful, but . . .

I cry everyday.

Ceremony of Innocence - A Short Review

Finally, finally, I read Ceremony of Innocence by Dorothy Cummings McLean and published by Ignatius Press.

Ceremony of Innocence is a timely smart novel set in Germany. The main character Catriona is Catholic and real, meaning she has warts and flaws. Though it was an enjoyable read, I wouldn't say it was light. In fact, I appreciate the fact that it's a meaty, complex novel without being cumbersome. In fact I'm going to read it again because there are aspects of the story I want to chew over and think about. I want to talk about this book with someone else who has also read it.

http://www.ipnovels.com/novels/ceremony-of-innocence/

http://edinburghhousewife.blogspot.com

http://seraphicsinglescummings.blogspot.com

No Longer a Pack Mule

I'm in my third home since the beginning of the year. My most gracious friend and her husband said they are grateful they are able to give me a home and told me to feel like their home is my home, and I can stay as long as I need to. That provides me with emotional security, as I can move forward.

My parish and the people in it are being helpful too.

For so long, I felt like I carried the burden of unemployment and financial problems alone. And the relatives who did provide financial assistance also provided lectures and criticism. Hey, didn't they notice the RECESSION and UNEMPLOYMENT and ALL the FORECLOSURES that were going on this country for the past seven years or so.

Now I am not alone anymore.

I've given up a lot, and I know I'll be giving up more, but I do not have to worry about that which I have given up.

My father is in the hospital and said he's depressed. I'm going to call his friends and let them know how he is feeling. I want my dad to feel love and joy.

Last week the doctors and nurses were about to rush him off to emergency surgery. I called for a priest, and the chaplain was paged. A chaplain showed up who was not a priest. We and several nurses stood around my dad and prayed. Then the doctor determined my father did not need surgery just then! Now he is slowly getting better. Actually the chaplain gave me much emotional support.

Respecting Boundaries, Respecting Privacy

Boundaries, People, Boundaries.

Boundaries are healthy.

You can't just go willy-nilly wherever you feel like.

I'm talking about this story:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/07/living/feat-planet-fitness-transgender-member/index.html

Maybe next time I'm on a commercial airplane, I'll self-identify as a pilot. Do you think they'll let me in the cockpit?
 No.
Why not?
Because I'm NOT a pilot.
Would that be safe if I just marched into the cockpit?
No, even though I'm harmless.

Maybe when I go to England, I'll just wander into the private quarters of a castle because I feel like a princess.
Do you think that will be allowed?? Ha.

Then one day I'll self-identify as a surgeon and stroll into an operating room without scrubbing away all the germs. Never mind that I've never taken an anatomy class in my life.
Is that okay?
No.
Why not?
It puts the patient at risk.

I mean, I've worked in offices where I needed security badges because of confidential information that I worked with. There were no naked people, open wounds, or navigational equipment.
So why is it okay to let anyone into a place where people are naked and vulnerable???
It's not.
Some actions are simply not appropriate.

Things are Heavy

I have a lot of things, which my friends moved and I moved. I am renting a room for the time being. I am a roommate People are nice.

I need to shed more things and be free of the burden things create.

Some people can't believe the things I left behind or gave up. I still have plenty of things left.

How can you soar when you're weighed down by things?

You can't.

Right now a child is in the house visiting his parent and making some noise. There's life in this house. If it's too noisy I can close the door to my room, but life is nice.

Asking for Help - 2

The Holy Spirit is moving people. I have rec'd some help, and have some options now that I didn't have a day or two ago. Not only are people ministering to me with offers of this and that, but in doing so they are ministering to my discouraged heart. The Light of Christ is shining through people.
Yes, Mary & Joseph had lodging issues. They sure didn't plan to relocate to Egypt I bet.

Father's homily yesterday was one I needed to hear. I told him so on the way out.

Asking for Help - Part I

Today I sent out an email to a list of people and friends in my real life asking if they can help me find a place to live. If I were braver, I would ask if I can live with them. I hope they can read between the lines.

Also, I caught up reading Becky's blog at http://homegreathome.blogspot.com. I should have checked it earlier because there is a mom and a family who needs prayers and practical help too.

In response to to my previous post, I rec'd the comment way below (in blue text) from Anonymous about sending money to San Felipe de Neri Parish; 2005 North Plaza NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 It's not typical of fund-raising efforts and I doubt it is official church communication, but it came from someone who cares about this church.
Funny, because there are only two or three people who know my real name connected to this blog. None of them are from New Mexico.
I don't think any of them know of my connection to Albuquerque.
I have visited this church below. It has a long great and great history. I've spent several Christmas Eves celebrating in and around this church.
I have taken photographs of this church. It's in the Old Town part of Albuquerque.
In fact I feel a connection to this church and other parishes and places in that city.

So if you feel like helping out some parishes and an abbey, send money to
San Felipe de Neri Parish; 2005 North Plaza NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104mailing address: PO Box 7007, Albuquerque, NM 87194

or

San Martin Roman Catholic Church
http://sanmartinchurch.org
8321 Camino San Martin SWAlbuquerque, NM 87121(505) 836-4676
I have attended Mass here. 

or 

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary5415 Fortuna RoadAlbuquerque, NM 87105
Celebrated a number of Christmases at this parish. My parents were very active in this church. My mother's wake and funeral Mass was at this church. The love and PRACTICAL help of the people of his parish when my mother died was so very, very great and beautiful.

or

The Norbertine Community in New Mexico
Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey
http://www.norbertinecommunity.org/our-story.html
The Norbert Community serves the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.
5825 Coors Blvd, SW
Albuquerque, NM 87121-6700
The Abbot of the Abbey is Right Reverend Joel. He was the pastor of Holy Rosary. I remember one of his Christmas day homilies about evil and the name HEROD. I wish I took notes. Fr. Joel also offered a great big hug the Christmas right after my mother died. I cried through the entire Mass that Christmas. As people were leaving Mass and treating Father, I said to him, "It feels more like Good Friday than Christmas"
Fr. Joel said, "It's [grief] just so raw."
That was the right thing to say.

Maybe I'll write more about Holy Rosary parish and its people another time. I'm glad the Norbertines have an Abbey now. I would like to visit it sometime.

Finally,
if you'd like to send me money, um, I guess just email me. lenadpaul@gmail.com




 Anonymous said...

I want MONEY!!!

(and working families are who I want it from!!!)


San Felipe de Neri Parish; 2005 North Plaza NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

mailing address: PO Box 7007, Albuquerque, NM 87194

Pastor: Rev. Dennis Garcia

Deacons: Jose Lucero, Maurice Menke, Tom Perez, James Carabajal

Religious education: Melany Gallegos, Director
School: Jennifer Mason, Principal
Museum and Gift Shop: Steve Torres Manager (convent bookstore on-site)


mailing address: PO Box 7007, Albuquerque, NM 87194

Pastor: Rev. Dennis Garcia

Deacons: Jose Lucero, Maurice Menke, Tom Perez, James Carabajal

Religious education: Melany Gallegos, Director
School: Jennifer Mason, Principal
Museum and Gift Shop: Steve Torres Manager (convent bookstore on-site)

Giving with Love

I have received some charity of late.

Some people give to me without conditions, without emotional blackmail, without disgust, without judgement. These are some friends, some charitable organizations, some volunteers, some social workers.

I say thank you a lot.

Those who say they love me (we share genetic material), give with conditions, with emotional and verbal abuse, with judgement if they give at all. They hurt my heart.

I say thank you a lot.

I write thank you notes.

I think the people in the first group are the ones who really love me even if they don't always know me.

I cry a lot. I cry when people are nice and compassionate. I cry when family members are mean.

And some people just don't want to deal with me and my problems. We stopped saying anything to each other.

Not Sure

• Not sure if the election results are a good thing or a bad thing.
• Not sure if I'll find a place to live.
• Kind of feel stupid for getting rid of car, but then again I couldn't afford the repairs.
• Not sure of anything.
• What scares me is that God allows evil to happen and for bad things to happen to good people. 

What's the Message?

I wonder what God is trying to tell me. I know this: I can't be a superwoman. I can't bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan in the career woman way. Was that a Charlie perfume commercial? I can't sustain and support myself by myself. I need to rely on God and others for a little help or big help.

Life is overwhelming. I need some joy and fun. And prayers.

And if God would just write down what I am suppose to do with my limitations and weaknesses and sinus infection, I would appreciate it.

Shivering for Life

On Sunday I joined about 50 other people in a Pro-Life Prayer Chain. For one hour we stood on a busy street in front of and near an abortion clinic and held various pro-life and anti-abortion signs. We were silent, yet I felt we were very powerful and loud. Many drivers toot-tooted their horns in support. There were only two drivers who demonstrated anger at us, but they didn't run us over or even get out of their cars. Some drivers gave no response and that's okay. After all it was a busy street, and people needed to pay attention to the traffic.

Next time I do this, I will wear a hat and add another sweater to my layers of clothing unless it's really hot outside.

Good-bye Car, Big Burdensome Car

Sold broken down car to mechanic who will flip it.
Secretly, I am glad I do not have a car now especially that car.
I will be glad when I get another car, but right now I seem to be coping okay for the short-term.
Secretly, I hated driving that car. I mean it gave me a lot of good years, but I was so uncomfortable driving it, parking it, then I worried about it a lot.

Big old car was a burden. Gone now. Sounds crazy to be happy to be carless now.

Getting Help and Health

a) One friend sent me a $100 gift card, which will come in very, very, handy at big store that sells everything from food to underwear to socks to toilet paper to laundry detergent. It will come in very, very handy. This is not the first time she has given me gift cards.

b) I called my church and then went to the rectory office. My parish gave me a $25 gift card to local grocery store chain. Yes, it will come in handy.

c) I called a Prevent Homelessness hotline that is somehow tied to Catholic Charities and asked for financial aid and case management services. A lady took my name, number, town and said someone will call me back within three business days.

d) I called Catholic Charities inquiring about financial assistance and case management services. They gave me the phone number for the prevent homelessness hotline that I already called.

Since I'm off (unemployed) this week, I decided to take care of a few other matters. 

e) Made dental appointment since check up and cleaning is covered under my insurance. Dentist office is about 1/2 mile away, so I can walk.

f) Made another appointment with another doctor that I have been putting off. That's about two miles away, and I can walk if I need to. 

Yesterday I filed for unemployment benefits AGAIN, which I was able to do online. 

No Car, No Job, No Money

I can't afford to get my old car fixed right now.

Today I found out that my temp-to-hire position is just temp, and my last day is tomorrow.

Stomach pains, chest pains.

I hated telling my dad this news. He's worried and stressed about me. I am worried and stressed about him.

I can't stop crying.

Can't even pray now.

Broken Car

Who is the patron saint of cars?

So on the way to work, my car broke down. Right away I called my manager and told her. After asking if I was okay, she said to take my time getting to work. I called her a few hours later and gave her an update. A called my guy at the temp agency at this point too. I couldn't call him from the side of the road, because I didn't have his phone number. I left him a voice mail. A few hours later I got to work and stayed late.  So when I got home at 9:00 pm, there was a message from Temp Agency Guy to call him back. Wonder what he has to say. I hope it's not bad, and that I'm not getting fired. I'm still in the temp phase of this temp-to-hire job.

Have message from mechanic too. Bet he's going to tell me to repairs cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I only have $. Well, more like $ 00.27


Dear God, Again, I have a big problem, I can't handle. Please fix.

An Engagement

Yesterday after work, I had a doctor's appointment. The doctor and I had good news to share with each other. I have my temp-to-hire job and she just got engaged and her office was filled with flowers! I'm pretty sure she's in her 40's judging on when she started practicing. (I've been her patient for most of those years.) This just goes to show that being a single woman over 40 does NOT mean you are dead. And the diamonds (yes, plural) on her engagement ring - not too shabby. Okay, not the most important thing, but I'm impressed. I'm pretty sure there are no more diamonds left in the mine. And BIG diamonds too - large enough to serve as spotlights at a movie premiere.

And she's writing off my co-pays too!

Yay Doctor!!!!!

Hope then Discouragement then Hope Because Hope is All I Have.

So,

I've been working the past week in a temp-to-hire position. This means I'm a temp again and maybe they'll hire me.

I was excited at first until people started telling me stories about how temp agencies and companies never really hire temps. They just lie to you. Sigh.

I rather like this job. I hope I can keep it and be a real employee.