Word & Saint of the Year…

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021 LadyEm634 Comments

Dear Ones,

Happy Monday! Happy 24th Day of 2021! I hope it’s going well so far, for you.

I’m sorry it’s been three weeks since I’ve blogged. What you need to know about me is – when I get worried or life gets busy, I don’t tend to come to my blog. Why? Because I don’t have a lot of nice things to say sometimes. The boredom of not working and being shut down in a foreign country, the lack of Mass and normalcy, and all the political and COVID news has stunted my brain. Our home is full of angst-ridden people. Sigh.

Take heart… there is so much HOPE! Today we celebrate the Conversion of Saint Paul. And I have to say, when I was reading this morning about him, I was reminded how awful he was to Christians. He sought out Christians to have them out to death for following Our Lord. And as I sat there reading about his conversion in The Acts of the Apostles, I thought to myself – “Look what God did with Saul/Paul! There is HOPE FOR ME!”

You know, my WORD OF THE YEAR is TRANSFORM (Thanks @Jennifer Fulwiler). And while I know it must seem lame to y’all that I just can’t get it together, I can assure you that it’s no joke to live it. When Mama is out of sorts – the house crumbles, y’all. Sigh. And while I am working hard to remain positive and get things done, I also keep things REAL!

After much prayer… it’s clear that this is the year of ME. Now wait a minute – you know, if you follow my blog that I do many things for everyone else, to the point that I don’t always get done what I need to get done. I need to take a step back from humanity… and I need to get healthy mentally and physically and take back my life a little bit. In a way that may sound selfish but is completely necessary. God has really put on my heart that I need to transform the way I live… the way I think… the way I pray…. I need a conversion of heart and mind. In all the woes of life, I really have lost sight of my purpose. Which sounds entirely ridiculous. But it’s true. Things I am working on in my conversion…

Putting Catholicity First – Living Liturgically — in a way that we have not done here.
- When we homeschooled and were super plugged in to our great Parish in Fort Worth, it was so easy. But the transient Military Catholic Church is not the same. Sigh.
- Revamp my prayer life.
Get mentally and physically healthy
Get back to Blogging for the Lord
Get back to working a job (any job)
Get back to crafting more. I miss it.

I think part of my exasperation comes from feeling separated from Jesus in the form of the Eucharist… Yes, we do say the Spiritual Communion, but I feel like HE IS MISSING from the Mass when we watch from home. Because of our lack of Eucharist and Sacraments, I believe we ARE distant from our Faith – in a way that I can only describe as climbing a mountain that keeps getting taller. You just can’t reach the top. Sigh. We do go to Mass every couple weeks. And we count ourselves blessed to be able to receive Jesus. Pray for Us!

Funny enough, my SAINT OF THE YEAR is ST. TERESA OF AVILA. It is not lost on me that she is the patron of People in Need of Grace, amongst other things. People are always saying, “Emily, you need to give yourself grace!” Sigh. Part of my giving myself grace is transforming myself back into a more organized, self-healing kind of lady. I’m going to spend my year getting to know her.

Back to Saint Paul’s Conversion… if you are feeling low, and full of angst, anger, doubt about faith, our world, and other things. Put yourself on the path to Damascus with Saul (now Paul – Paul is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Saul, fyi) and ask God to help you transform whilst you walk with Him. God took a murderous atheist that was hunting Christians and not only forgave him but converted him into one of the Apostles, and builder of His Church. And God will certainly come to us when we call on him as we walk our own continued conversions. But it’s up to us to listen for and act on God’s plans for us. We must learn to control our thoughts. We must put our pasts behind us. This is the hardest for me. But it hit me today that I am JUST AS FORGIVEN and malleable as Paul. And I am so thankful for the Saints before us and their great and HOLY examples.

I am hopeful and determined today, Dear Ones, and I hope you are too. No matter what – Jesus loves you. Walk with Him!

I’ll be back soon.
Love, Hugs & Blessings…
Lady Em

Catholic Faith · COVID · Davis Family · Emily (Me) · Family · Italy · LadyEm

Happy New Year 2021

December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Ones,

I am writing this at about 5pm Italy time. It’s morning in the states.

As we face New Year’s Eve here in Italy, we are in a Red Day. It means we are “forbidden” from going anywhere. Curfew is at 10pm for take out/delivery of food, etc. But we did manage to go buy a dog crate today for our little girl (three months old) as she gets out of the play yard and into the boy’s bed. HA

Facing 2021 has be going between these two memes.
First this…

Basically just be cool and get things done – quietly… but don’t try to get too excited.

Then this…

Yes! Every day we start again. Just like every Saint and wanna be Saint before us and beside us. Never give up. Sigh…

But I knew I wanted to share with you a way more uplifting message than that… And I never really have to look further than my Magnificat. Y’all. Seriously – I could just regurgitate it all day look. Read John 1: 1-18 and then read the below!

2020 was a hard year in MANY ways… However; in our home, many great things happened during 2020:

my husband beat cancer he didn’t know he had.
we had time to clean and toss.
we learned we were tougher than we thought.
we made a list of things we need to do – as individuals and as a family.
- I lost 10 of the nearly 20 lbs I gained.
- I found my voice again and made myself a priority.
Our children are healthy.
Our grandchildren are healthy.
Most of our friends have beaten cancer and Covid and other things they have faced.
- Please continue to pray for all who have not beat these things.

Today is New Year’s Eve. It’s the end and the beginning in one 24-hour period. Let us all work together to keep our minds sharp and positive. How blessed are we that God loves us so much he comforts us and guides us? He never leaves us. We can be certain of this! And whatever test we are walking through – HE is with us. Reach for his hand…

Let me quickly tell you how I intend to do stay positive, get more organized, AND concentrate:

I am using several videos to stretch/strengthen and tone. I need to move more – PERIOD. Moving helps your energy level and your mind. It really does.
I am on a 100 day fast from purchasing things I want vs. really a NEED. Sigh. that will be hard – but good.
- I have my meal plan in place.
- I’m going to try to figure out sales here and buy on the economy more because frankly the base is so expensive.
- I’m looking for a job.
I am formulating a plan to be purposefully Liturgical. You say, WHAT? Y’all when I homeschooled, I was on it – Feast Days, etc. Between Italy and how we feel about being here, and the COVID Shut Downs… it has drained my brain and hope… Base Church is weak at best… and my disdain for it all has helped me understand we need to live more purposefully as Catholics.
- More family time.
- More positive mindset.
Increase my prayer life. I’m trying. I have books and things (I will talk about them later). But mainly it’s about concentrating.
- I’m serious – is there a prayer for concentration or a Patron Saint for concentration.
I will find a job.
There will be more goals. That’s a good beginning.

Listen – I’m praying for you in 2021. We are all going to do our best to have a great year. It’s all we can do. Pray for me too.

HAPPY, BLESSED AND WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!

We’ll chat soon.

Love & Hugs,
LadyEm

#catholicmom.com · Catholic Faith · Davis Family · Gospel Reflection · Holy Innocents · Italy · Quarantine2020

Gospel Reflection – Feast of Holy Innocents

December 28, 2020January 2, 2021 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Readers,
I know that it has been a month since I’ve blogged. I’m sorry, I just have a lot going on. The lockdown has been interesting to navigate (I will share a graphic so you can see what we basically have been doing)… And next week – if all goes well, School will start back up. YAY! That adds another layer of fun.

The 21st – 23rd were Orange, that is the only change.
The numbers are high and they didn’t want to open everything back up. Sigh.
Pray that we actually do go back to Yellow on the 7th.

The graphic above is a very simplified version. Basically, they want to limit everyone’s exposure by not allowing big family feasts, etc. Sigh. For us, we were basically prepared. As with Thanksgiving, we had purchased all we needed just in case we were locked down (and we were). The good news is, we have plenty to eat, and had a small Christmas. And life is good. You know?

I do have some goals in 2021. A small plan – that is flexible. I’m not sharing it because whenever I do, I honestly never seem to get to it. Pray for me. LOL Today, we mourn the innocent loss of babies and we hold in esteem all who died in Herod’s brutal search for Our Lord. As usual, I got my Gospel Reflection email from Catholicmom.com and started reading the reflection… which sounded familiar… you know, because I wrote it. HA! Boy – how sad that I couldn’t remember that I had one more for this year.

Let me get to it and share it with you, because if I do say so myself (and I do), it’s pretty good. Of course, let me know what you think…

Daily Gospel Reflection – December 28, 2020
Today’s Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18 – Feast of the Holy Innocents

Poor King Herod, and all his scribes and chief priests. What weak men they were at heart. They knew that God was powerful and that the prophecies of old were coming true. They were so scared that the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) would ruin their way of life, they schemed up a plan to have all children under the age of two killed in and around Bethlehem.

I read that the slaughter of these innocents was the first time, in recorded history, that we see conflict between Christianity and politicians. Sadly, in our world today, the story of hatred and irrational cruelty is the same one playing out — in the murder of innocent babies through abortion; the murder of people with disabilities and the elderly through euthanasia or assisted suicide; and the systematic removal of Christian values/morals from every aspect of society by people who hate and fear God and His Church.

The good news is, God had a plan for the Holy Family, as He does for our lives. Jesus lived! And He’s alive in us.

Our Catholic Christianity demands that we value life from conception to natural death. We are called to be bold and brave in our faith and walk as Jesus did. It is rarely easy and we often feel helpless to change things. But in our heart of hearts, we know that we cannot let past, present, or future Innocents die in vain.

And so, in the name of the Innocents and martyrs before us, following Christ’s example: We feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, ransom the captive, and bury the dead.

In these ways, we help God triumph over evil.

Ponder: What do I need to do to trust God’s plan for me to reach out to innocents and martyrs walking in this world?

Pray: Dear Lord, help me put aside my fear and anxiety and help me emanate You and Your love to all. Please lovingly correct me when I fail to see Your plan. Amen.

As I was reading my devotion in the Magnificat, I realize that in my past I have been complicit in horrid sin. And I’m so thankful that God is forgiving, even when I can’t be every day. You know? God has a plan for us dear Readers. Trust Him. TRUST HIM!

Have a great Monday! Happy 4th day of Christmas.
And come back soon because, today, I’m writing.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm

#catholicmom.com · Catholic Faith · Catholic Mom · Emily (Me) · Italy · Small Success Thursday

Small (BIG) Success Thursday

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020 LadyEm632 Comments

Happy Thursday All.
Happy First day of Google School for our DODEA Kids.
Happy About to be locked down again in Italy.
Happy – Happy – Happy… Small Success Thursday!

While I am concentrating on my list of things to do… I want to be sure to praise God. I was writing my last Gospel Reflection for 2021 last week, and I have to say, as God does, he knew I was going to need to hold onto it. In this Gospel, Jesus was questioned by the Chief Priests and Elders. And they always asked him questions meant to usurp his authority. What I loved about it, was Jesus calmly asked them a question, to throw them off their game.

He was not mean spirited in any way, but you see… He knows, in our humanity, we often answer questions safely – even when we know the right answer. And our Catechism/Faith as we grow in Christ, challenges us to ~~Answer the question~~ LIVE the right way… Not the ~~SAFE~~ POPULAR way, but how our Lord has taught us. He cared deeply for their souls and wanted them to think.

In our world, living the right way… doing what we are supposed to, as long as we aren’t combative and aggressive and we lead with love, is intimidating, and yet freeing. And I believe when we speak up the right way about the awful things happening in our world, we are showing truth and love. We are doing it RIGHT!

So now, I shall tell you my Small *BIG* Successes. I’ve decided that they are all big.

My successes are as follows…

Making a broader effort to get back to the Cathlicity that is missing in our home.
Answering/Living the right way, in spite of judgment.
Maintaining Sanity in the midst of what we know is coming.
Ok – I can do four – I did this post. THIS is a miracle. But an advantage of being in Italy is it’s early in the states. ❤

I would encourage you all to tighten your inner circle. Remember Jesus had a small group of close companions. We must get smaller and stronger and in these times, pray harder.

I hope your Thursday’s are great.

Love, Hugs, & Encouragement!
LadyEm

#LadyEmCrafts · Book Review · Catholic Bible Journaling · Catholic Book Reviews · COVID · Italy · Quarantine2020

Book Review Wednesday – Ignatius Press Bible Journal

November 4, 2020 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Ones,

I hope this post finds you well. It’s been two weeks since I posted, but y’all, I have had a busy two weeks.
I’m the PTSA President and I was at school nearly every day. Between Teacher/Staff Appreciation, our spirit gear coming in and needing distribution, “spirit week” – which I will show you later this week, and school pictures… it was a lot of fun! I’m so thankful we could bring fun into the school.

I meant to get this up early this morning but today’s been a rather long one. You see, we are about to be told we are closing till January and going to a Google Classroom setting. UGH. I’m heartbroken, and also relieved at the same time. Now, we know and we don’t have to deal with “is it happening” thoughts. Ya know? Here is the latest Italian Decree. It’s not great. But guides the command on how the Italians expect the rest of us to act. It’s their country, after all. If you open it in Google Chrome, you can see the fun… You’re welcome. HAHA

But you didn’t come here for that. You came to see the new Bible Journal I was sent to review. I love it in so many ways… there is just ONE thing I wish was different, but it won’t stop me from using it. I’ll explain. First and foremost, I have literally been praying that Ignatius Press would create a journaling Bible. And when my friend Monica told me about it, I knew I wanted to review it. So thrilled to have been sent this Bible. Because I’ve already given the last one I reviewed away – even though I said I wouldn’t. I’ve loved the Ignatius Bibles since I homeschooled through Seton. And I agree with Mr. Scott Hahn, who said that the NRSV Second Catholic Edition is the most beautiful translation of the Bible. Hands down – agree!

WHAT I LOVE:
- This Ignatius Note-Taking and Journaling Bible a sturdy Bible- in fact, the leather is beautiful.
- The pages are thicker than a regular Bible and easy to work on.
- My artwork didn’t bleed through too much, but that doesn’t bother me anyway.
- I love the off white color of the pages.
- The maps are great too.
- I love the size of the Bible – its 6.25×7.25 and maybe 2 inches or so thick. I have super small hands and it’s easy to hold.
ONE THING I WISH WAS DIFFERENT:
- Font Size. 7 pt font is too small for this 57 year old.
- It’s not their fault I wear trifocals like Mr. Magoo… But that is truly my only issue.
- Luckily I have access to a bigger version so I am clear on the verses I am working with.

This is my new favorite. In the pictures below, you will see the cover, the comparison of size/font to the last Review from Catholic Bible Press, a blank page, and a page with artwork.

Pictures of the Ignatius Note-Taking & Journaling Bible – RSV, 2nd Catholic Edition.

When I journal, I try to plan it out beforehand, and I always try to write a note.

On this page, I used:

Sharpie bright yellow highlighter
Various gel crayons, water, and paintbrushes.
Tim Holtz Sunrise Stencil.
Various Stamps from Sweet & Sassy Stamps. One item each from three sets.
Gina K Amalgam Ink
Distress Ink

The verses I journaled are Psalm 43:3-4 –

As always, I washi-taped a plastic mat under the page I worked on, so that the Bible wouldn’t get wet. I air dried this one, and then I stamped on it, and wrote out: Let Me bring light to the world through God, who’s light and love I share with others! Meet me on the Holy Hill! Walk with me, I am NOT alone!

Dear Ones, I have to hop off to go watch the explanation of the latest decree by our Command Staff. Pray for us over here.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm