I can't believe it has been a whole year since I last posted here! Most of my free computer time has been just keeping up with emails and my Facebook page, I guess.
Reflecting on the past year, I realize there have been some significant moments of celebration as well as sadness. The days and months just come and go like the waves on the shore...each leaving its own little mark of change in the sands of my life. How I love to sit and watch the waves! That is one desire I have...to take my husband to see an ocean...to sit with him and listen to and watch the waves come to shore and back out again. As I sit here imagining it, I can almost smell/taste the salt air and hear the gulls soaring above. How I love the ocean!
These 40 days of Lent, I have devoted to personal reflection, study and growth. I miss the fact that Bob and I didn't do a Lenten "joint" effort this year, but we each did our own personal effort. Last night we did watch Mel Gibson's movie of "The Passion". I cried...I always do. I seemed to relate more to Mary's pain while watching the movie this time...her incredible love for her son and the pain of her obedience...such precious suffering. I guess our "joint" effort this Lent was working together with several other couples on the Lenten Fish Fries held at the Humphrey Community Building each Friday until this last weekend. It took a real joint effort from all...I didn't do nearly as much as others. It was a lot of work, but also fun, too.
Again, this year I gave up meat for Lent. It has been more difficult for me as I have had many very strong desires, cravings and temptations to eat it. It has been a reasonable suffering for me and one that often brought my attention to Christ's strength and my weakness. I am looking forward to a good steak or roast after tomorrow, though ;o)
I have also been drawn to a personal study of Mother Teresa during this Lent. It actually started before Lent with a book I checked out from the library. What an amazing woman! Her faith was soooo strong, yet so simple. Her faith was based simply on love...loving as God loves and seeing others as if they were Jesus himself in need. This is what she believed personally and this is what she instructed her Sisters and Brothers to do the same. What a blessing it has been to study her.
Along with my reading of Mother Teresa, I have used "The Word Among Us" and "Magnificat" reflections and devotions to assist me in my scripture focus and reading. Before I read, I pray and ask God to reveal to me what he wants me to learn each lesson. Everytime, without fail, I have received a good message and/or instruction from my time with Him. I have also kept a journal of these days of study where I write my personal reflections, struggles, and revelations to Jesus and lovingly thank Him. I want to continue this practice after Lent as my daily devotion. I see now how very important it is if I am to be the servant to Christ that I He needs me to be. how I struggle with serving Him well...I am so weak, but He is so strong and can help me in my weakness. I simply want to learn to love as God loves...but in my humanity it is so hard some times. I am thankful for the words of Mother Teresa when she says not to worry about doing great things, but to do small things with great love.
In one year, Bob and I have been given the gift of 3 new grandchildren!!! Braxton John Busselman, Harper James Preister and Londyn Claire Widhalm. That brings our combined total to 15 grandchildren! We are soooo blessed! Bob's mother, Lois, also married a wonderful man, Allen. Their marriage was blessed in the Catholic Church this past Advent Season. We have experienced loss in the death of a few friends, too. Some older and some much too young.
Grandpa and Grandma with Braxton John
Harper James
Londyn Claire
In the past year, I have lost nearly 30 extra pounds of weight through diet/lifestyle change and a little exercise. I still need to improve on the exercise part...but am getting better. I have learned that I can walk on my treadmill and say the Rosary at the same time! I am all for multi-tasking, and I think Mary understands this. I am finally feeling well and am determined to do my part to stay that way.
In the past year, I haven't done much with my writing, but I did finally finish the paintings I promised to my daughter of her children. One of them is going to be competing in the Spring Art Show at the Columbus Art Gallery. It is titled, "Lizzie and the Goats at the Fall Fair" (See it below) 
In the past year I have made new connections with old friends and family through my Facebook page. My greatest gift was having my niece, Jody Lee, find me. She is my brother's step-daughter and so she was able to tell me that my brother is doing well and that she has a son, Robbie, who will be 2 in July. I have prayed for my brother and his family hoping they would make contact again. I haven't talked to him since Daddy died in 2006, nor have my other siblings.
In the past year Charli Ann, our granddaughter who had cancer at just 7 months of age, has remained cancer free! Praise God!
Tomorrow is Easter Day. We won't be going to my daughter, Melissa's, this year. I will miss that, but we will be going to mass with Bob's mom, Lois and her husband, Allen. They are my parents here on Earth. How I love them. We will then go out for dinner together and I will eat meat with much gratification and Bob will be able to finally have his Valentine's Day candy and Easter candy! But best of all we will celebrate the resurection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...the real reason for the season! God bless and Happy Easter!
