Happy New Year!!

Won't be able to post tomorrow, so Happy New Year in advance!

(If your time zone is behind like ours is anyway! If not, have an awesome day)

:-D

Have a wonderful and blessed New Year!

Before I forget again...

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the birds!!!

Someone plays with their new kite...

...while Sunny sings with his mike.

Doesn't Lilo look sweet in her ribbon?

Show off Stitch

...But he makes up for it. Lilo get a rose from him.







And just for the Jedi Master and Otakuboy, Stitch wields his new lightsaber!

Where do presents come from?

Jenny's parents were desperate for a gift. Being a craftsman and knitter for small business, there wasn't much of an income, yet they held on. Meanwhile a Christmas party was being organized for the town. Decorations, food, music, and of course a Nativity scene, it was Christmas after all. It was planned, that towards the end of the celebration, parents would give their children a gift. Jenny's parents sighed at the announcement, but resolved to gather what they had left for Jenny.
The celebration came, the townspeople came, even Father Brown came. It was celebrated with joy and friendship. Songs sung from the crowds heightened in volume while musicians accompanied in harmony. Growls from hungry stomachs were heard above the din, and Father Brown said the blessing. The food was warm and delicious. Many declared it the best party the town had held and wanted it to become annual.
The time passed. Jenny and her friends sang, danced, and laughed along with their games. She was a tiny girl, Jenny, but her laugh was the happiest of all.
At its near end, the presents were given out at that wonderful party. Gamecubes, remote control cars, dolls, ipods, CDs, sketeboards and much more were given out. Jenny opened hers with all the glee of a seven year old, for the sculpted animals and the child her parents made were simple, yet beautiful.
Jenny's friend's stared with pity, and her parents bit their clutched their hands. Jenny took no notice of these, and ran to hug her parents. Her friends looked with puzzlement, and asked, "Doesn't it bother you that your present isn't as nice?"
Jenny cocked her head. "Oh, no. It doesn't matter if a gift comes from the store, as long as it comes from the heart."




It's been such a busy week, I almost forgot to post this. Can't remember where this was from, though. :-(

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Even though we stayed up until 2 in the morning because we attended the Midnight Mass, I still can't stop saying it!!!! :-D
I hope everyon e has a very blessed and merry merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve

The most exciting day during Advent for little ones. What though, are we thinking about all day?

At the end of their journey, Mary and Joseph found no where to stay at Bethlehem. Everywere, inns were full.

Are we so full of thoughts of presents, lights, dinners, and having fun, that we no longer have room in the inn of our hearts for Him?

Last

Love

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.

-Saint Augustine

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul. -Saint Teresa

All that we do is a means to an end, but love is an end in itself, because God is love.

-Saint Edith Stein

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.
-Saint Therese

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.

-Saint Francis of Assisi

It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found - not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Love is not to be purchased, and affection has no price.

-Saint Jerome

Thanks Mom, for the blessing! :-D

I have been "blessed" by Mom and now in turn
I bless the following 3 bloggers:
Kaila, Ms. Micki and GrandmaK.

"The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. To read more about the bloggin’ blessing please click HERE."

I bless Kaila, Mrs. Micki, and Grandmak! Kaila because she is always posting wonderful blessings on her blog as well as music. Mrs. Micki because she shares her holy cards and posts along with them words of inspiration. Grandmak because she is always leaving joyful comments! :-)

May the blessing of almighty God, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you forever.

Amen!

Now, it's your turn to bless 3 bloggers. :-D
Total Blessings sent so far: 7 (? sorry, I don't quite understand that part)
So, all Kaila, Mrs. Micki and Grandmak have to do to is:
a) bless 3 blog buddies each.
b) Include the ‘God Bless you’ image in their post.
c) Explain briefly why you selected the people you are blessing.
d) Pray/include in the post the prayer for the recipients of the blessing.
e) Then type in the com box of Deb's Bloggin Blessin' that a blessing
has been sent to the three you have chosen to bless so we can keep track of how many blessings are being given.

Description

Another description of humility is accepting the crosses God gives you. They are given for a reason.



No more videos after this, I promise. :-D

Books and random things

Tagged by CT :-)


#1 Book meme (my fav!)


One book that changed your life:
My Life With the Saints by James Martin S.J.
I kind of read a bit of it when CT wasn't looking, thinking I wasn't going to bother with it after that. It turned out to be so good, that she just let me read the rest of it. Thenceforth, saint's books have never been the same; in fact I appreciate them more!



One book that you’ve read more than once:
Lord of the Rings by (you know :-D ) J. R. R. Tolkien.
Almost once a year since I was nine.



One book you’d want on a desert island:
Ummm...I don't think I'd ever be on a desert island...
...but the same as everyone, The Holy Bible.



One book that made you laugh:
The Story of a Soul by Saint Therese.
She and her family remind me of ours sometimes.



One book that made you cry:
Um....well, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee almost did.


One book that you wish had been written:
The ones me and my friends haven't yet written.



One book that you wish had never been written:
Whichever one is the worst



One book you’re currently reading:
Just one? Ok, The Story of a Soul.
That's terrible, I'm still not done reading it. (The book isn't not the one terrible, me not being done with it is)
I guess, though, it's better to read some books more slowly than others. :-)



One book you’ve been meaning to read:
The rest of the good books yet to be explored!...oh wait, just one?
Ok, The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa





#2 Eight Random Facts meme



List 8 random facts about yourself, then tag 8 others.



1. I've actually met (in person) 8 other bloggers.



2. I can cross stitch without getting cross eyed.



3. CT and I once made a parody of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" It was about dreaming of a big pizza. :-D We couldn't help it....we were hungry...and it happened to be Christmastime...



4. I (and the Mom and Dad and CT) used to live a block away from Disneyland.



5. Puzzles are fun, especially the 1000 piece ones.



6. I wanted to call Lilo and Stitch the names Mango and Blueberry. It would've fit too. :-)



7. I don't find classical music boring.



8. To practice writing Latin sentences, I make a storyboard out of stick people saying stuff in Latin.



ummmmm.....

8 people who want to do either one, go right ahead. :-D

(i know...that's cheating, but everyone else has done this already.)

Third

Thanks Aunty Esther for the really neat animated wreaths! :-D

Humility


Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.
-Saint Augustine

However great the work that God may achieve by an individual, he must not indulge in self-satisfaction. He ought rather to be all the more humbled, seeing himself merely as a tool which God has made use of.
- St Vincent de Paul

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.
-Saint Therese of Lisieux

Don't permit your misery or defeats to depress you. Rather let them be steps by which you descend the deep mine where we find the precious gem of holy humility.
- Saint Paola Frassinetti

We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self.
-Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne


We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.
-Saint Teresa of Avila

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.
-Saint Patrick

Nother movie...

I know in the last meme posted I put "tv isn't really popular here" and it isn't, but I forgot about the Nativity Story.



Wish I could play that song on the piano!
Words to the song can be found Here
Another song just right for Advent. :-D

Our Lady's Day

Hurray for Aunty Esther who made the video! :-D

Second of Advent

Abandonment

In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing. Nothing wearies it by elation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection, because it stands in the center of its own humility. -St. John of the Cross

Believe me, the writing of pious books, the composing of the most sublime poetry; all that does not equal the smallest act of self-denial.
-St. Therese of Lisieux

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.

-Saint Francis of Assisi

Thou must be emptied of that wherewith thou art full, that thou mayest be filled with that whereof thou art empty.

-Saint Augustine

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Thanks to Aunty Esther for the wreath! :-D
Quotes again, found here here and here.

I guess to repent and change our ways as Saint John said this morn, we have give up much.

Christmas Meme

Jedi Master Stitch Bluetail ready for the cold weather here!

Hurray! Tagged by Aunty Esther!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper. We wrap it ever so nicely carefully...then shred it to bits! Course, with a house full of us kids (I count too!) it's always more fun.

2. Real tree or artificial?

The real ones are always nice, but we don't usually get one. We just have a simple kid decorated hobbit size tree with piles of presents around.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Dec. 22-24th...somewhere around there.

4. When do you take the tree down?

The next year! :-D

Sometimes it even stays till the end Jan.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Yes, but not a lot of it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

(I'm still a kid, so it's not over yet)

But so far, tickets to Disneyland.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?

Yes, except it's probably still in a box...somewhere.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

CT! We're Christmas shopping buddies, so it's really hard to get her something without her knowing.

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

None...

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

There's really no one to mail letters to, we (kids) just hand them out to everyone.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie?

None, TV's not that popular here at the homeschool house. ;-)

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

As early as the end of Nov. if we remember, but usually in the middle of Dec.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Ummm, do colored pencils used for a homemade gift count?

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Mashed PoTaToes!

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Colored!

16. Favorite Christmas song?

Too many to list

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Home, aunts come here from the mainland.

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers?

I think so!

Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, Vixen, Blitzen, um, Rudolph...

um, nevermind...

19. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Early early Christmas morn!

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

People missing the real point.

22. Best thing about this time of year?

Family gathering to celebrate the best birthday that ever occurred!

Now I tag....ALL the teenagers!

mwahaha.

Writer's discovery

I cannot write novels, it's too hard.
I will try chapters instead, yes, that would work!
Oh, chapters hurt. They evade me like fish!
Oh, I know! Paragraphs! Yes, lovely!
No, paragraphs leave me in a vertigo.
Yes, yes! Sentences, now that's surely to work!
Sniff...sentences are too long.
Words! Now just words ought to work!
Yes, words are easy!

With God's help, they'll prosper into sentences!
Oh, don't sentences make paragraphs?
Paragraphs make up chapters!
Chapter create novels!
Maybe it's not as hard as I thought....
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." -Saint Francis

May it Be

I really really like this song
I had borrowed it from the library, then a visit to Kaila's blog reminded me of it. (thanks)





I know LOTR is old...but here are the words to the song as found on the Song track case:

May it Be
By Enya

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now


We probably will never have to travel to a place as dark as Mordor to save the world. Sometimes, though, we become discouraged with the entire world, or just trying get through the day's problems. That's where confidence arouses. We are confident that God will lead us through our troubles, however many. We trust Him to lead the way through the dark.
Darkness is longer this time of ending year, but the light of Christmas drives it away. We must prepare ourselves for the coming of light during the Advent.

Advent

Happy New Liturgical Year!

There are four main parts of Saint Therese's Little Way and four weeks (well, mostly) of Advent. Hopefully the posts match the readings of the Sunday...but here goes...

Confidence

It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.

-Saint. Francis of Assisi

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.

-Saint Patrick

My hope is in Christ, who strengthens the weakest by His Divine help. I can do all in Him who strengthens me. His Power is infinite, and if I lean on him, it will be mine. His Wisdom is infinite, and if I look to Him for counsel, I shall not be deceived. His Goodness is infinite, and if my trust is stayed in Him, I shall not be abandoned.
-Pope Saint Pius X

For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God more forever.
-Saint Therese

I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.
-Saint Dominic Savio

To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.

-Saint Teresa of Avila

Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.

-Saint. Jerome

Quotes found here

and here

...and here too

Thanks to Aunty Esther for the picture!

Last Wednesday's reading...

...was scary. (I'm late in saying this)

Father's homily, though, turned it upside down. True, you never know when your page in life will turn into the next chapter. True, you never know when the next storm might arrive. True, you never know when life's at it's end, whether you're young or older. Yet, if you live life the best you can today, and God will take care of tomorrow.

Wow, nominated by Kaila and The Catholic Warrior!!

Mahalo nui loa. :-D

Here's what it says on the original blog (which is a very wonderful blog, so please visit it!)

"In a consumer society it is a blessing to read blogs where the writer's main focus is God. Where they express their love for their faith so visibly and joyfully.

In a cynical world it is refreshing to see so many blogs which are generous, giving, who care about others and demonstrate what being a Christian is about, loving God and loving our neighbor.

Through their faith, lives and spirituality, they bring God to us, they in essence make God visible, 'God with us.'

This Award goes to all the faith filled blogs who make evident 'Emmanuel'- God with us, with Joy in their hearts.

Please share this Award with Christian blogs that focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior."

I'll nominate all my homeschooled blogging buddies and the homeschooling moms!

Point of Grace

Our favorite Christian group. (well, to us girls anyway : -D ) Though not Catholic, their songs are really good.
Click here!
(and hopefully it works...it decided to take a vacation earlier)

Thankful for...

Tagged by CT :-D

List 10 things you're thankful for!

1. For Eucharist received everyday

2. For my enormous family, even the ones not met

3. For all friends, hobbit size, towering, blogging, and saintly.

4. Little feather balls of fun

5. Inkspeckled pages

6. Music filled days

7. For the surrounding picture of nature

8. For His love that helps us through the times

9. and hope of the better yet to come.

10. For life through all it's strife and joys.

Now, I tag...

Cookie!! :-)

and of course anyone else who wants to play!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here's a funny story Father Mike told this morning:

A woman had four sons, each a year apart. They graduated from high school one after the other, and they entered and graduated from collage one after the other. All four were very successful in their careers, and their mother was extremely proud.

The years flew by, the four better better off as each year passed. One holiday season, they decided to give their mother a present. She wasn't getting any younger, they knew, so it couldn't be just any present. They gathered together to decide their presents.

The first son said, "I know just what to give her. Mom always had that small apartment to live in, so I'll build her a mansion! Two floors plus an attic and a decent yard; that ought to please her."
The others agreed. That was a marvelous gift, mother would surely be living in luxury.

The second son declared, "Mom was always going to the movie rental, and she loves music. I know what I'll do, I'll get her a massive entertainment system. Complete with quality surround sound, flat screens, and fifty comfortable seats!"
The others liked that idea too.

The third had to think a little harder, the first twosome's ideas being grand and all. Finally he snapped his fingers. "I know! Mom's got this really old and rusty car, so I'll get her a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550. She won't have to walk a mile to the store any longer."
The others nodded, no more work for Mom.

Lastly, they turned to the youngest. He thought, and he thought, but he couldn't match the other's gifts. "Give me a week, I'll find something."
They waited a week while the youngest searched for the perfect present for Mom.
They gathered yet again, and this time the youngest had a gift in hand.
"I asked a preacher, 'cause Mom always reads the Bible," The others nodded at this, Mom sure loved each word in that book, "So I found a parrot that memorized the entire Bible. You give him a chapter and verse, and he'll tell it to you. Cost me 20,000 dollars a month for 20 years to buy him from the parish, but Mom's worth it!"
The others grinned, and when the time was right, they presented their gifts to mother.

Months past, and each received a letter, it was from Mom.
The first son's letter said, "Dear son, thank you for the enormous house. I only live in one room. I have to clean the rest of it. Thank you anyway, Mom."

The second son's letter read, "Dear son, thank you for your gift, but I can't hear too well, and my eyes can't see very far. There are fifty seats here in this entertainment room, but all my friends are dead and gone! Thank you anyway, Mom."

The third son's letter wrote, "Dear son, your gift is lovely, but I can no longer drive, and all my meals and groceries are delivered. Don't worry, it's still a nice car. Thank you anyway, Mom."

Finally the last son's letter said, "Dear son, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you for your gift! It was so wonderful. I couldn't imagine a better one, so thank you. The chicken was delicious! Thanks, Mom."

Pictures and quotes

Music is expressing what cannot be expressed with all the words in the world.-Anonomous

When a friend calls to me from the road And slows his horse to a meaning walk, I don't stand still and look around On all the hills I haven't hoed, And shout from where I am, What is it? No, not as there is a time to talk. I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,

Blade-end up and five feet tall, And plod: I go up to the stone wall For a friendly visit.

-Robert Frost

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one."-C.S. Lewis

Business, you know, may bring money, but friendship hardly ever does.

-Jane Austen

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.

-Thomas Jefferson

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.

-Tenneva Jordan

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

-Thomas Jefferson

Christmas

Another very, very big mahalo to Kaila, from whom the nomination came!!
Click here for original post and explanation.

I now nominate five others! (you can nominate more than 5)

- Mom
- CT
- Aunty Esther
- One of my friend's whose blog is under construction...
- and Cookie, my friend who just started a blog!

Words, Words, and more Words

Found this on Kaila's blog (thanks!)

This was fun, we couldn't stop until we had to leave for the pet shop.
For every word you get right, ten grains of rice are donated.
Yes, more homework, but for a very good cause! :-)
Click here!

What else you can learn from birds

Seriously, you can learn something else from birds besides the other post's "lessons".

Birds trust completely in their masters (or mistresses).
They trust that they'll be fed everyday without fail, and even trust him enough to eat out of the master's hand.
They know toys will be provided, any master could see their little friends need playthings!
They know shelter and warmth will be given, a warm bird is a very happy bird.
Birds are extremely faithful, once master has proven true, none can take his place.
Birds are fine with their master rearranging their perches' positions, change keeps them alert.
Newspapers for lovebirds are essential, a master knows, birds need to build too!
Though master needs to trim flight feathers, the little one understands, it's a big world outside master's walls, he just doesn't want a feathered friend lost.
Water is always there without fail for a bird, and the bird knows it; bathtime or soup?
Lastly, a bird knows his master will love him without fail, even though bites come or mistakes occur, birds relent because master will always forgive.

Quotes

I should have posted this last week!

Quotes and pic found on Patron Saint's Index and Wikiquote

He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.

–Saint Francis of Assisi

If I am not [(in the state of grace)], may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.

–Saint Joan of Arc

What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, [he] who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.

–Saint Patrick

It is love alone that gives worth to all things.

–Saint Teresa of Avila

Walk in the way of the Lord with simplicity and do not torment your spirit. You must hate your defects, but with a quiet hate, not troublesome and restless.

–Padre Pio

Music is the exaltation of the mind derived from things eternal, bursting forth in sound.

–Saint Thomas Aquinas

Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.

–Saint Rose of Lima

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.

–Saint Therese of Liseux

Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.

–Saint Clare of Assisi

Optical illusions

We went on a field trip to the museum a couple of weeks ago, and the exhibit topic was the brain. The brain needs us as much as we need it, which is a good thing because we wouldn't be ourselves without it! Optical illusions occur when "the information gathered by the eye is processed by the brain to give a percept that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source." (don't worry if you didn't get that, I barely understand it myself) : P


Here are a couple - um, three from my Aunt's email:

Focusing on the dot, move your head toward the screen, then back.

"To test this, stare at one spot for a couple seconds and everything will stop moving. Or look at the black center of each circle and it will stop moving. But move your eyes to the next black center and the previous will move after you take your eyes away from it.... ??

This one won't really work here...

Confusing....but thank God for brains!

Saint Therese

Just three lovely pictures of Saint Therese found on Patron Saint's Index
It always amazes me how she remembers events of her life. She recalled in her book stories of her younger self in nearly full detail! I wonder if she's the patron saint of memory...

:-)

All Creatures of Our God and King

Words by Saint Francis of Assisi.
More videos can be found here.
(hehe, found that link through Aunty Esther's blog, it's a really nice site!)

All Saint's Day

Happy Feast of All Saints!

Our homeschool group dressed as saints today and attended Mass. Can you guess which saint each of us are (are, is??)? Most kids just dress up for Halloween, we get to dress up two days in a row!

Lava flows

"The Lord has done marvles for us" -Psalm 126
(and by our friend from daily Mass, "The Lord has done marbles for us!")

Click here

Damien the Blessed

It's not the best of videos, and the sound might be somewhat quivering (or at least that's how it sound on this computer) but it's still good.
(and just in case it disapears again, click here)
You can find more videos HERE at the Hawaii Catholic Herald website.

Learning Latin

Yup, learning Latin for this year....it's not exactly the easiest language, but to me it's the most fun.
This site is very helpful and makes leaning interesing at the same time.

Another boring post

Sorry, I haven't had the time to post a halfway decent post...
Scouring the more appropriate part of the Internet, I've so far only come across this:
Click here for a card.

Saints' Friends

Saint Clare was a friend of Saint Francis who, though he never met her, was a friend of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, who in turn was the great aunt of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. St. Francis was a friend of Saints Anthony and Dominic. Saint Dominic was a friend of Saint Hyacinth. He was also a friend of St. Amata of Assisi, who was related to St. Clare.

I guess you never know who your friends might eventually be!

Sneaking a meme in

Hurray, tagged by Mrs. Esther!
Name seven things you like about yourself.

1. I'm Catholic, and attend daily Mass (which in this case, daily actually means everyday) :-)

2. I live on an island colored by countless vibrant hues.

3. People my age would probably think I'm weird. That's fine with me, if it means having awesome homeschooling friends that don't care how you dress, having siblings closer to you, and the saints as your bestest friends, then I don't mind being weird.

4. Music is our family's favorite. I wouldn't mind listening to music all day, or playing it.

5. I love reading...and writing...and reading...

6. I have 3 birds (2 are CT's) and have had the honor of watching three clutches of Lilo's eggs hatch, and the chicks grow into sweet little birds.

7. I can't draw, so I finally made the camera work!!

I hereby pass this meme onto three people....
ummmm...well....if you like to play, please help yourself.

(time for dinner...)

Dance!

Hahaha! This is so hilarious!
Click here

Thanks to my Mom's friend for sharing this. :-D

Just a Smile

Finn lived in the most depressing place a kid could live, or at least, that’s what he thought of it. No one smiled, no one laughed, no one greeted him a good morning or night, not one neighbor had ever done him a good turn. Finn himself had not done much. After all, what could a measly nine year old do when adults in a haughtily dreary building towered over him like giants?

He had some friends, and they lived in nicer, cheerier, places. There, everyone smiled, everyone laughed, everyone shouted greetings, and all preformed helpful tasks almost in excess. How did his friends’ part of town get that way?

One Sunday, he couldn’t take it anymore. A neighbor had handed him an endless furious tirade about how she thought boys were tiresomely rude. He ran away, as fast as his legs could take him. He hadn’t done anything; he had just walked past her. The thought send him hurling even faster through the town’s twists. The trouble about running away was that there wasn’t anywhere to run to.

Exhausted, but not lost, he stopped. His eyes lit on a grand building as he caught his breath. Finn gazed at it longingly, and a strong compulsion to enter filled him. He slowly made his way in.

It was dark, but not pitch black. It was utterly silent, but peaceful. There was no one else in sight, yet Finn could feel Someone there. There were long wood brown benches, but they were very comfortable and were all facing the same way. Along the walls of the rectangle building, were images. Some were frightening, but most marvelously depicted. Near the front, was a statue. It was one of a beautiful lady clothed in blue, her arms stretched out as if wanting to embrace him. Finn smiled back at her, though his could never compare to her warm one. She was lovely. As Finn stood in front of her, he knew what was lacking in his part of town. Finn thanked the lady, and departed from the church.

He came home, walking this time. The first person he saw was the surly neighbor who had given him the tirade. He stopped, and so did she. Finn swallowed, and before she could snap at him, Finn presented to her a smile so warm; she gaped at him in astonishment. Finn smiled with his heart and asked her if he could do anything for her. Suspicious, but flattered, she declined his offer. Finn walked to his apartment with his unceasing grin.

A year later, Finn sat on a high wall near his apartment. Everyone was smiling, everyone was laughing, everyone was greeting, and everyone had done another good. Finn smiled and chewed a cookie his no longer surly neighbor had given him.


"At last I have found my calling. My calling is love." - St. Therese
Quote found here

...and the winner is...

Poll results:

Saint topics - 3 votes
Pictures - 1 vote
Book Reviews - 2 votes
Stories - 2 votes
Anything fun - 1 votes
Other (pls. leave a comment) - 0 votes

I guess I'll be posting more saint related topics as well ans stories and book reviews!
Thanks to all who voted!

Cross(eyed)word puzzles

I don't really like crossword puzzles that much, but for anyone who does, here are a couple!

Saints Crossword

and a much harder one:

Catholic Crossword

More Latin

Here are some of the prayers said in the Divine Mercy Chaplet in latin:

Eternal Father
Latin Version:
Pater aeterne, offero tibi Corpus et Sanguinem, animam et divinitatem dilectissimi Filii Tui, Domini nostri, Iesu Christi, in propitiatione pro peccatis nostris et totius mundi.


For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Latin Version:
Pro dolorosa Eius passione, miserere nobis et totius mundi.

Holy God
Latin version:
Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Fortis, Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis et totius mundi.


Prayers found from here.

Amazing

Picture from wikipedia article of nebulae

This year, I'm learning about earth science. How astronomy fits into earth science, I have no idea, but learning about stars has just been simply amazing! A single dot in the night sky could be a cluster of galaxies, just waiting to be discovered. A twinkle of light another far off planet. Who knows what else God has left in store for us to find!
How many people, though, overlook such a remarkable sight? Sure you see a star every night, but by just marveling at it, you're really praising God for bringing it into existence. A little one see the tiniest creations, and is overjoyed at the mere discovery. Maybe that's part of being childlike, thanking God for every little bit of life.

Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

Happy feast of St. Francis!

St. Francis is the patron of birds and animals in general, so here's a prayer for animals:

God Our Heavenly Father,

You created the world to serve humanity's needs and to lead them to You.

By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship

which we once had with all your creation.

Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You

we will also restore it with all Your creation.

Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You

and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation.

We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of our neglect.

May the order You originally established be once again restored to the whole world

through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary,

the prayers of Saint Francis

and the merits of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ

Who lives and reigns with You now and forever.

Amen.

- From Parton Saint's Index

Updates

...on the bloglist!

These bloggers post about their lives, inspirational thoughts, holy cards, and videos.

All these blogs I visit as daily (though daily here means as soon as possible), and I'm sure you'll like them too:

Ego me bene habeo

Just Doing My Best

Holy Cards for your Inspiration (Not entirely new to the list, but I forgot to post that it was there.)

The Catholic Warrior

Catholic Tube

Happy Feast Day!

Happy Feast day of Saint Therese!




(wahhoooo! I finally posted a video! um..I have no idea what those other stuff at the end of the video are. so it's prabably not good to click on them)

For more to read on this lovely day, Mrs. Esther, Mrs. Micki, CT, Joey, and Mom have some wonderful (and funny) posts.

ETWN has some quotes and prayers

...and here is a link for her poems. (it's working this time!)

"Jesus set the book of nature before me and I saw that all the flowers he has created are lovely. The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness and there would be no wildflowers to make the meadows gay. It is just the same in the world of souls - which is the garden of Jesus. He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but he has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice his eyes whenever he glances down. Perfection consists in doing his will, in being that which he wants us to be.
Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be - and becoming that person. "- Saint Therese of Lisieux, from Story of a Soul

A very big mahalo to Kaila, author of Ego me bene habeo for the nomination! I haven't really done much to deserve it, so I guess it's time to find better posts.

Here's what it says on the original blog.

"Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) it to make more disciples. I'd like to take the opportunity to award five other bloggers with this award and badge for acting in the role of a disciple of Christ. These five all share the message in their own creative ways, and I admire them all for what they do.

In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other "disciples" to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1)this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ. If you know of other deserving recipients of this award, and would like to start a new string, then please post a link to where you've started in in the comments to this post. I would love for many deserving bloggers to be blessed with this recognition."

I hereby nominate:
CT - Veni Sancte Spiritus
Mrs. Micki - Holy Cards for your Inspiration
Newhousenewjob - Just Doing My Best
Joey - Catholic Homeschooled Teens
John - Vocation: Thoughts of a Teenaged Christian

Half of you don't know me (I've gone my my Confirmation name, Merri, a couple of times when leaving a comment), but I admire you all and read you blogs every chance I get. Thank you for all you do.

What you can learn from birds

Math 100 seeds + 1,000,000, seeds = stomachache



Science - Clouds
Cauliflower, saffron, white sunflower...

History Once upon a time, cameras didn't work.

Geography
...and that, Pipin, is know as the outside.



Language
Eeep, chirk, iiir, fret! Got that, mistress? Good. Now translate.



Recess!
Score! Lilo has eaten yet another seed, winning seeder with 30 points of eaten seed, and Stitch with 9!



Vocabulary
Decapodiformes, ochlorcracy, kinaesthesia, lexeme, zygodactylous...what? How can you not understand what I'm saying?



Spelling
S-u-n-n-y. Sunny.



Self-Defence
Hey! Get outta my nest!!!




Music
No thanks.



Literature Why'd you name me after a Hobbit?



Friendship
You're my best friend Merri, even though you eat most of the food, chirp in my ear, wake me up in the middle of the night, splash water on my feathers, sit on my favorite perch, make newspaper soup, step on my toes...



Family

No matter what antics we may display, we'll always stick together.