Life this Lent

A few snapshots of the precious quiet times that gently settle in the house, usually in the morning, when children happily entertain themselves. David and Rose are each other's treasured playmates (and worst foes, at times, but we'll focus on the positive). I love these tranquil times of day. Francesca is listening, quite appropriately, to The Long Winter (Laura Ingalls Wilder). She's gone through many an audio book these past frigid months. Teresa prefers to withdraw into a looking at books, drawing, play-acting, and building legos rather than listening to something. And frequently David and Rose can be found on the floor, ear to the ground, vrooming their toy cars and trucks together. Rose has quite naturally picked up a lot of David's boyish interests. 

The poor crocuses and daffodils are in for another winter storm this Tuesday, it seems. Is anyone else dreaming about frolicking in warm Spring grass sparsely clad?! In the most innocent possible way of course, and with shoes on, to avoid bee stings. Extended winter can make one, shall we say, a little coo-coo. On the bright side, the delayed warmth and flowery goodness will make Easter all the more meaningful this year.

Happy Birthday, My Beautiful Wife

On the portico of the Main Building at Notre Dame, there are benches that overlook the "God Quad", meticulously landscaped and with views of the Basilica and all the other original buildings on campus.  On nice evenings in the Fall and Spring, Cara and I used to spend hours sitting on those benches - talking about our dreams, our goals, family, friends, faith, sports, music, everything.  Our conversations were always effortless, from the very first one we had.  Afterwards, we would head over to the student center where we would study philosophy while eating gummy worms.  She was my best friend from the very first day we set foot on campus, and now she's everything I could want in a wife.  I love you, Cara!

Snowpocalypse 2014

"This igloo is gonna crush the other igloo." 

"Hm, he's stuck. I'll dig him out"

"Maybe I'll just watch instead." (Despite appearances, Dave wasn't stuck...just good at acting.)

Eight Years

Dave is a "think outside the box" type, so he put an "I love you" post-it note in my jar of coconut oil this morning, and spelled out "Happy Anniversary" on every egg in our refrigerator. He also changed my blog button on my internet browser to "Happy Anniversary." I've been inspired by and attracted to this creative bent ever since we met.

I read that bronze is a traditional 8th anniversary gift, and that seems about right to me: beautiful, yet durable- nicely analogous to our marriage after eight years.

Please say a prayer for my friend Katrina who is in labor with her 3rd child (Shaela) a month early. We're taking care of their two little boys right now. St. Gerard Majella pray for them!

Katrina (and Shaela!) at her baby shower Sunday.

31

Happy birthday my love. You are the source of our joy!

The Pope and Pop-pop

 Pop-pop's conference in Rome seems to have been a wonderful success- congratulations Pop-pop!! Part of the wonder was being able to have a private audience with Pope Francis, who kindly agreed to hold up a Georgetown banner for a photo shoot. There are more beautiful pictures from this encounter that I haven't been able to download yet, but rest assured they'll be coming (copyright permitting!).

Georgetown's website has a picture on its front page. Nice work Dad!

This one's priceless- hoping to get a non-fuzzy version soon.

Thanksgiving

So much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving after what seems to have been a Lenten year.

God continues to shower graces on our family, gifting us when we have the courage to be like supple clay in His hands. The saying goes that God never gives us a cross we can't handle. But what does it mean to "handle" a cross, exactly? My experience has been when I think I'm about to be crushed by some cross, and just when I cry out for help, He sends a reminder in some form that He has everything under control, if only I trust Him. A life of faith seems to be marked by this dichotomy- mortal fear rising up, then a deep act of trust in a loving Father's goodness. "Handling" a cross is simply recognizing one's complete dependence on God in the face of suffering. The sufferings don't disappear, but fear and sadness are replaced with gratefulness and renewed strength.

I'm reading St. Faustina's diary again, because it is truly a tour de force of God and the soul. I can see why the overarching message of her diary, which John Paul the Great emphasized so much during his pontificate, speaks so forcefully to our generation: don't be afraid, trust in God's goodness and mercy, see how much He wants to forgive you, strengthen you, console you. I, for one, am mortally afraid of suffering and prone to feeling overwhelmed. St. Faustina's diary serves as a beautiful reminder of the antidote. Christ tells her:

My child...entrust yourself completely to My will, saying 'Not as I want, but according to Your will, O God, let it be done unto me.' These words, spoken from the depths of one's heart, can raise a soul to the summit of sanctity in a short time. In such a soul I delight. Such a soul gives Me glory. Such a soul fills heaven with the fragrance of her virtue. But understand that the strength by which you bear sufferings comes from frequent Communions. So approach this fountain of mercy often, to draw with the vessel of trust whatever you need. (1487)

My child, life on earth is a struggle indeed; a great struggle for My kingdom. But fear not, because you are not alone. I am always supporting you, so lean on Me as you struggle, fearing nothing. Take the vessel of trust and draw from the fountain of life-- for yourself, but also for other souls, especially such as are distrustful of My goodness. (1488)

Leading up to Christmas, Joseph and Mary must have made countless acts of trust in the face of terrible uncertainties. Happy Advent to all- prayers for many fruitful acts of trust throughout this season of preparation!

A little after dinner wrestling