Join Jen and the other Quicktakers over at the Conversion Diary
1. It was 30 degrees yesterday morning. It is 70 degrees today. I can’t make up my mind weather I should put the screens in the windows or not. Looks like it will be warm all week and then into the 40s by Saturday – and of course the kids play soccer on Saturday so that makes it even more interesting!
2. Father V. had a wonderful homily today for Divine Mercy Sunday. It was along the lines of how to talk to someone (like and adult child) who we feel is living in a sinful way and endangering their immortal soul. He gave good examples from his own life and emphasized saying it once, being clear, and keeping the bonds of love open. I have more or less tried doing that with Calvin. I am very clear, and we still have good communication and strong bonds of love – however, I have repeated myself on more than one occasion and after hearing Father’s talk I feel pretty satisfied that I have done what I can do and feel secure in that.
3. With my adult child that lives at home I have also tried to be loving and calm, straight forward and clear while speaking the truth. I’ve decided that in addition to that, I am also going to charge rent. An adult child that wants to act like a responsible son needs to abide by house rules. If he simply wants to be a tenant then there is a charge for that. I think it’s a great deal too! $60/week which includes keeping his stuff here, use of the facilities including water, electric, free wi fi, and laundry, and also use of the car (which is still titled to us) and insurance! I don’t think he could live anywhere else as economically. I also pointed out that since he is no longer a full time student and we cannot deduct him or get the child credit, then it’s time to start contributing financially – and I feel very good about it!
4. Our Parochial Vicar also said something that resonated with me today. He was going over the Spiritual Works of Mercy which are:
I have no trouble with the first three, I feel called to do #4, and I pray for the living and the dead every day. But I have a hard time bearing wrongs patiently and of course with forgiveness. Listening to the prayers of the Divine Mercy and reading the literature I know that is what God does for me all the time! So this is something more to work on – patience and forgiveness.
5. It dawned on me today that Rosie will be making her first communion in a few weeks – and my mom won’t be there. And it makes me so sad to think about that. She was always there for the other kids – and even flew up from New Mexico to be at Calvin’s first communion. Rosie’s godparents can’t come either and my sister has to go to a graduation. It’s rough to be the youngest kid with no grandparents. Mr. Pete says she won’t know it’s a big deal unless I make her think it is – and he’s right. So far the only person feeling loss over this is me – and I want her to feel so special and loved on her first communion day.
6. I finally figured out this week that after all these years of tinnitus, I do indeed have some hearing loss. Mr. Pete and I went to practice this week and the church had the usual pool of water surrounded by beautiful spring flowers. As I was looking at the beautiful decorations, I mentioned to Mr. Pete that I thought it was a shame that they didn’t have the water fountain going as well. He looked at me funny – because there hidden behind the flowers was indeed a bubbling fountain making a gentle stream sound. It was strange that once I knew it was there, I could hear it. But before that, I could not hear it at all.
7. With the Walking Dead over for the year, I found another series to get attached to – Call the Midwife!
From their website:
What I enjoy about the program is that it shows natural childbirth handled by wise and experienced midwives! For my 13 year old daughter, who won’t have a chance to see me giving birth again, the births in this show have been educational – as have some of the experiences of the mothers and the midwives. The lives of the Anglican Sisters is also a good topic for us to talk over together. I finished the first season on Netflix- Season two just started and the second episode is this evening.
I love Call the Midwives. I actually had read the book about five years ago.