The Cabbage Patch

Divine Office

A couple of weeks ago, I read this about the Divine Office app on the iPhone.  I considered it, but then decided to wait.  It does have a higher price tag for an app.  Then another one of my friends mentioned it as well on Facebook.  I thought once again about purchasing it, but didn't do it.

Then, I went to a homeschool conference.  Once again, it came up.  Well, I often ask God for big obvious signs.  Not subtle ones because well, I just don't catch them.  So, I purchased the app.

I listen to it.  I'm not on schedule as I should be.  And, I don't always have my full focus on it.  I usually put my headphones on and start listening as I sew.  It's been great.  

God hammered me over the head about this app.  I listened.  Eventually.

Poor Pumpkin

Fifteen minutes before class ended for Sister, I received a frantic phone call from my mother.  I could hear screaming in the background.  Pumpkin had fallen off the play structure is all I got out of her.  

I grabbed Sister from her class.  I don't remember anything but taking her from there.  I remember raising my voice but truly it was tunnel vision.  I grabbed my stuff and we took off.  My heart was racing and my hands were shaking.  I called my mother again and asked her for some more details.  Luckily, the screaming had stopped.

What happened?  Well, the drought and extreme heat had shrunk the soil a bit where the fireman's pole sits.  It dropped it precariously low and when Pumpkin tried to slide down it, it fell out of the top part.  She dropped onto the cross beam and used her mouth to break her fall.  That little piece where it's not weathered in the picture?  It ended up in her gums.  They pulled it out when they cleaned her gums.  

The teeth are fine.  Lots of things played into her gums only being damaged.  With time, she should heal well.  It's just quite unsightly.  

The gums were "gloved".  Picture when you peel gloves off your hands, that's what happened to the gums on her permanent teeth.  They are exposed.  Ick.  

She's been a trooper, but I think it'll be a while before her siblings, grandparents and her mother recover.  

Sister was weepy the whole ride home.  She was very concerned for her baby sister.  Honey was crying as well as scared when I arrived home.  Brother held it all in until I hugged him this morning and asked if he had been worried.

The funny moments?  Yes, there were funny ones.  Pumpkin was worried about how she would smile dancing in the Nutcracker.  

I mentioned to Pumpkin that her brother did care about her and he chimed in with, "Sometimes.  Like when she gets really hurt."

Thank you to everyone who prayed us through this.  You gotta love Facebook for that.  Word can spread so quickly.  And, prayers get started immediately.

 

One Year Ago

One year ago yesterday, Matthew Karol Snow was born.  One year ago tomorrow, he went home to God.  Please pray for the Snows.  

Status

There are too many things to report.

1. My nephew has been hospitalized since Saturday.  He had been having breathing problems for a week brought on by a viral infection.  It came to a head on Saturday.  The Children's Hospital admitted him.  He couldn't get enough oxygen even with an oxygen mask.  He was able to graduate to a cannula on Sunday and then today, he went off oxygen.  This evening he went back on the oxygen.  I guess he's not quite ready to come home.  Please pray for my little nephew.  His name is Ryan and he is 4.  I really hope he doesn't have to spend Christmas in the hospital.  
2. Nutcracker is over.  It's always sad and a relief when this happens.  Sister would dance in a 100 shows if she could.  Honey did very well despite her cough.  The bodices looked wonderful as did the waltz overskirts.  
3. Ben has finally arrived at his destination.  Hopefully, we'll be able to set up some regular correspondence.
4. My mother was helping out this weekend.  She did mounds of laundry, cooked, cleaned and babysat.  I learned some humility this weekend when she cleaned my bathroom (very embarrassingly icky).
5. My Christmas cards are going out late.  No surprise there.  Same with Christmas gifts I have to mail.  I have officially run out of time.

There are probably more.  My mind is full of things to do.  Hopefully, I'll be able to slowly chip away at my to-do list.

Tangible Things

One of the biggest things I've been feeling lately has been a sense of helplessness with the distance between people in our online community.  Elizabeth puts it quite well:

"Being in an online community, we feel like we have friends right next door. But when tragedy strikes, it becomes painfully obvious that we are not right next door. We cannot pop in with a casserole and a hug. We cannot take the kids and give a grieving mother time and space. All we can do is pray."

Elizabeth gives us a chance to do something tangible as does Cay.  Go to either site and check it out. 

And, continue to pray.

Oh, no

Waltzing Matilda says it well.  Please pray for the Mitchells.  They will need to be surrounded by prayers.

Eternal Rest

Father Richard said a mass for the dead today.  It was so fitting as I was feeling quite down.  Ryan Barrett had his funeral today at the same time as our daily mass time.  It was only something God could have arranged.  I'm learning so much during this dark time.  

Their bishop came to Ryan's wake.  Read about it here.

Please continue to pray for the Barretts and all the people who knew and loved Ryan.  I loved him from afar.  He prayed for a special intention for me.  I am so saddened that I will never get to meet this wonderful young man.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Deep Sorrow

It was with worry that I learned that Mary Ellen's oldest was lost last night on a father-son camping trip.  

I have now learned, with deep sorrow, that Ryan has drowned.  My prayers go out to Mary Ellen, who has given me such comfort in the past, and to her husband and family.  I cannot imagine the sorrow.

Please pray for the Barretts.

Difficult Day

It has been a difficult day.  Matthew Karol's Funeral Mass of Angels was so beautiful.  Walking into the church, I first saw the little casket in front of the altar.  The tears started immediately.  The rhythm of mass helped to calm me down but then right at the offertory, Moonbeam (Emily's 2nd daughter) started sobbing.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the church.  It was touching to see the altar servers come down one by one and give Moonbeam a hug to bolster her.  

We drove to the cemetery in a procession.  I had never been in one before.  I was touched by all the cars stopping while we passed.  There was one young man who got out of his car and had his right hand over his heart.  The utility workers had their helmets off.  We said our last good-byes to Matthew and drove back to the church to have a bite to eat with the family.  It heartening to see the Snow children play and smile.  We sure did miss them while they were gone.  

We love you, Emily, John and children.  We continue to pray for you all.

Matthew Karol Snow

has gone to heaven.  Please pray for the Snow family.