welcome clare!!

Welcome to the world little Clare!!! Clare is the beautiful daughter of my best friend Katie and her husband Craig, born yesterday right around 10 in the morning. I got to see her last night, and she is so precious... her eyes are bright and she is so alert!! I didn't have my camera last night, but will post a picture when I get one... she is just so beautiful!



Also, wanted to share something that I received an e-mail about this morning. It is news too good not to share...

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26

(You can read more about Abby's story here.)

grace

(i especially love the last minute or so of this video when mother teresa shares a message i think i need to be reminded of everyday of my life--)

"psalm 139" sung by sweet adele in malta!

I have been so blessed to be in Malta the past few days, meeting my new friends Maria, her husband Ivan and their children Tommy and Adele.

Last night Adele sang for me this song ("Psalm 139" by Danielle Rose) and is is just too sweet not to share... enjoy!

While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears:

"This is the way; walk in it..."

-Isaiah 30:21

padre pio

Today is Padre Pio's feast day. I have to say that I felt his spirit this morning when I walked into the hospital room of a young teenager who has been neurologically devastated since he was a baby due to shaken baby syndrome. It was so sad to see him suffering so much. My instinct was to hold his hand and tell him that we had come to help take care of him, and I silently prayed that he would feel some comfort by our presence. In that moment I thought of Padre Pio's words that "love is the first ingredient in the relief of suffering" and felt a deep desire to help relieve the suffering of this young man. Padre Pio, pray for us...

Vatican City, Sep 23, 2009 / 01:27 pm (CNA).- At the conclusion of today’s general audience, Pope Benedict XVI recalled the example of St. Pio of Pietrelcina as the Church celebrates his feast day and encouraged Catholics to follow his example of “generous service to God and neighbor.”

In his greeting in Italian to young people, the infirm and newlyweds, the Holy Father said he hoped that the example of Padre Pio would “help you, beloved infirm, to experience in your suffering the help and consolation of Christ crucified.”

“May he make you, beloved newlywed spouses, capable of conserving in your families a constant concern for the poor,” he continued.

Lastly, Benedict XVI said he hoped “the example of this very popular saint will be for priests in this Year of Priests, and for all Christians, an invitation to always trust in the kindness of God.” The Pope also encouraged priests to imitate Padre Pio's dedication to offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation, calling the saint an “untiring dispenser of divine mercy” and “a great devotee and faithful minister.”

an update from katie in uganda

I know I've posted about Katie Davis and her work in Uganda before, but I just read a post from her that I had to share. It is incredible to even begin to think about what she does on a daily basis. I pray for her, and for God to inspire many others to join her.

she would know...

Without expectation, do something for love itself, not for what you may receive. Love in action is what gives us grace. We have been created for greater things - - to love and to be loved.

Jesus very clearly said: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Small things, done in great love, bring joy and peace. To love, it is necessary to give. To give, it is necessary to be free from selfishness.

There is something else to remember—that this kind of love begins at home. We cannot give to the outside what we don’t have on the inside. This very important. If I can’t see God’s love in my brother and sister then how can I see that love in somebody else? Everybody has got some good. Some hide it, some neglect it, but it is there.”

—Mother Teresa