The price of a half-hour of peace

Well, this about says it all, really.

Slavery

"Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible." (1 Cor 9:19)

St. Peter Claver (1580-1654), whose feast day it is today, vowed to be "the slave of the African for ever." He was a Jesuit and a missionary among the African slaves in Colombia. He is the special heavenly patron of all missions to the African peoples.

My sister-in-law compares motherhood to little ones to the life of monks who must drop their work immediately when the bells call them to prayer. As mothers we never know when that "bell" is going to ring, but we cannot be so attached to our other tasks that we resent our children for interrupting them constantly. Constantly.

Which is why I relate to the above quote from St. Paul found in my Morning Prayer this morning. And admire St. Peter Claver who vowed to be a slave for ever, while I think daily how I can't wait until I don't feel so much like a slave to the constant needs of my little ones.

Oh I have so far to go. St. Paul and St. Peter Claver, pray for us!

Signing...How We Roll Around Here

Sometimes I stop to think about it, and when I do I think it's really cool that my children sign. Most of the time I don't stop to think about it, because it is our life. We couldn't do without it.

I haven't counted how many signs the kids know. A lot. Here are two of my favorite signs, demonstrated by each little cutie pie in turn. Sorry the sound is static-y. I think the camera cord was brushing against the mic.

Grace, take it away...



Joshua, you're up!



Hope they make you smile. We need those moments desperately around here.

Cough 'Em Up!

My newest preoccupation as of late, besides all the new life of spring (gardening and raising chicks), has been 'adventures in saving money', mostly in the form of coupons matched up with sale prices or rebates and the like. I'm having a lot of fun with it and saving us some money too.

More reflections later on what I've learned...right now I just want to know what websites YOU like to consult if you're playing the same game I am. Please leave comments!

To Pet or to Plate?

Only time will tell.

Meet the newest addition to the Arnold household. We have ten chicks of some "Red" variety, known for being good layers. They are currently residing in our basement in a large cardboard box, destined for the out of doors in a few short weeks. (It may feel long, depending on how stinky they get in the meantime.)

Why ten? We hope to end up with three or four hens and we were told about 70% would be male. So until we know for certain, there will be no getting attached.

happy happy Easter!

He is Risen! He is Truly Risen!

God blessed us with a wonderful day yesterday. My parents joined us for Easter Mass and breakfast (french toast anyone?) followed by gingerbread lattes from my espresso maker (welcome back my friend) and nap time. A nice afternoon with Paul's family and a restful evening completed our day. The grace of his rising was really working in our family yesterday. I went to bed feeling...peaceful. Blessed. Joyful. Thankful for our Savior, without whom I would have nothing.

Faith

"It is not really a question of trust in God...for we want very much to trust him; it is really a question of our ultimate belief in his existence and his providence, and it demands the purest act of faith." (He Leadeth Me, 78)

If I believe that God IS, then what do I have to fear? What cannot be overcome?