The Feast of St. Agnes

Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—12 or 13—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning, strangling.

Legend has it she was a beautiful girl whom many young men wanted to marry. Among those she refused, one reported her to the authorities for being a Christian. She was arrested and confined to a house of prostitution. The legend continues that a man who looked upon her lustfully lost his sight and had it restored by her prayer. She was condemned, executed and buried near Rome in a catacomb that eventually was named after her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor.

This is an important feast day in our family.  This is my grandmother's birthday.  Her name was Agnes.  I guess that when you are one of 13 children and are born on the feast of St. Agnes, your name is St. Agnes.  St. Anges,  virgin and martyr, pray for us.  She is the patron saint of young girls.

Saints truly hear our prayers and pray for us.  Last night during our family prayer time, we began to invoke the intercession of Saints before ending our prayer time.  The kids love this and we all take turns saying the name of a saint while the others respond, "Pray for us".  There was a pause, and Andrew said, "St. Sebastian".  Bruce and I looked at each other in amazement since we don't remember ever invoking this saint before.  We were even more amazed that it was the Feast of St. Sabastian yesterday.

Peace and Joy

Today is not only the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Mary, teach me how to be a better mother), but it is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace.

This is what our family is praying for this year: Peace, Peace and Joy to be specific.

The peace and joy that only Jesus can give. Peace is something that has escaped me for quite some time now (perhaps 3-4 years). I've allowed the bus"y"ness of daily life to rob me of my peace. Worse, I have made excuses, blaming it on the many needs of my very small and active children and lack of time to do ALL of the things that need to be done in the course of a day.

However I rediscovered that Peace last November when I attended a silent retreat and reconnected with Jesus. He had been silently waiting for me to come to Him so that He could fill me with peace. You know, that peace that surpasses all understanding. However, I was too busy being busy. What is that saying, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" or something like that. Even now, knowing how to get that peace, I find myself catering to the demands of the loud, busy world and not taking time to let my Jesus, who patiently waits in the quiet part of my heart, fill me with His peace. If there is anyone who reads this, please pray for me and my family: the Peace and Joy of Jesus. We'll be praying for you as well.

Peace and Joy.

2009 in Photos Continues with August - December

August  The highlight of August was our trip to Illinois to visit Grandma, Grandpa and many, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had such a wonderful time.  We miss them soo much and can't wait until we can go back.

 Andrew in Millineum Park in Chicago.

Andrew and his cousins James and Thomas.

Mark really took to Uncle Jim and Aunt Sharon, especially Uncle Jim.  I wish we lived closer. He was so comfortable with him.

September - OK, the curls are going, going, gone.  Maybe it was being told at least once a week, "She is so cute." or perhaps it was the matted food in the curls that had to be brushed or scrubbed out at least once a day.  BUT I did it!.  I had the curls cut and just like that he was a little boy and did n't look like a baby anymore.

Daddy and Andrew washing our new car, a Honda Accord.  We bought the car from Mimi and Pawpaw.  Mommy REALLY loves her new car and Daddy REALLY loves having his car back.  

October 

Central Baptist Church Fall Festival

Mark being mischievious.

Daddy, Andrew, and Mark enter the sidewalk chalk drawing contest at the Downtown Bryan Fall Festival. 

Halloween- Big Superman/Little Superman. Mark does everything Andrew does. I was unpleasantly surprised at how Mark reacted to all the candy.  He was like a crazed child, wanting more and more and more.  It was actually a little scary.  I never saw Andrew like that.  

November

Bruce's birthday !!  We celebrated with a few friends.  We had lasagna and roasted marshmallows in our chiminea. Everyone had a great time, especially the birthday boy.

We went to Louisiana for Thanksgiving and the boys and I stayed for 2 weeks.  

Mark gives Jesus a kiss in Mimi's backyard.  Mimi and Paw Paw bought a farm near Baton Rouge so this is the last time we will spend here, although I am quite certain that Jesus moved to Baton Rouge with them.

Ok, I had to put this in there.  Here is Andrew trying to pull Mark out of the Big Wheel. So typical.

Markie and his new friend Hayley.  So cute!

December 

Mark's 2nd birthday.  We celebrated with some dear friends.

Making cupcakes for Mark's birthday.

Christmas Eve.