Book Review Wednesday – Prompt Me to Pray

November 18, 2020 LadyEm632 Comments

It is NO exaggeration to say that life is BUSY. Even in the midst of a COVID shut down here in Italy, I am still mom, wife, dog walker, animal feeder, PTSA President, friend, writer, paper crafter, family taxi, counselor, secretary, janitor, schedule coordinator, menu planner/shopper… you get what I mean – right?

I have told myself for years that God understands the busy-ness of motherhood and wifedom. God wants more from me (from you too) – and that is what this book will help each reader accomplish. Wherever you are in your prayer life, this book presents ideas and prompts to help you focus and grow your daily prayer into a better relationship with God.

I purpose to read the Magnificat and pray Novenas, and Rosaries, etc. Many days, these things happen, but I will admit to you dear readers, that sometimes I get busy and forget….

Enter… Prompt Me to Pray

I have read many books about praying, but really, the tagline in that picture above, where it says “A Practical Plan for More Consistent Prayer from the Heart” – NAILED IT! Just saying.

This book encouraged me to start a prayer journal — not just writing out prayer requests for other people, but actually stopping to think about what I am asking, praying for and waiting on guidance. In essence, this prayer journal I am creating is like recording my conversation with God and the action plan He sets forth.

For some readers, this book presents a plan to find prompts and notice what prompts you (the reader) to pray throughout the day. I love that part, but I am already there. So when I told Monica I’d review this book, I thought – this is going to be my “dig deeper” resource. And it is.

I am a prayer warrior. I constantly pray for other people. It’s a gift. But what I forget to do is purpose to pray for my needs, my family’s needs, our world, and every little thing.

I write down prayers for others, but I don’t take the time to write out my prayers for ME. And that, dear readers, is what is missing in my Prayer/Conversation with God. Yes, I pray for things I need. I’m human. But I don’t converse the way Monica writes about in this book. And that has to change.

If you ask me who should read this book, I’d say anyone over the age of 11. I think it will appeal to teens learning to implement prayer journaling and purposeful praying into their everyday lives. Certainly would be a great book for Confirmandi to use.

Because of how the base chapel is run, I need to become the DRE (Director of Religious Ed) here at home. When I homeschooled, I was so good about it. Life has really overtaken us, and I am going to purpose to pray and use this lockdown the take back our Catholicity. I know that God will lead me. Pray for me, dear Readers.

I almost forgot.

I am super excited about the Catholic Mom Bundle for Advent 2020. It can be overwhelming to even broach the thought of an organized and Liturgical Advent when you have littles. BUT – I promise you there is something in this bundle for everyone. For me, it’s the Prompt Me to Pray Advent eBook. It’s NOT available online yet, but is free with the purchase of this bundle, using Monica’s Affiliate Link.

This picture below is from Monica’s Website – Arma Dei – Equipping Catholic Families. The Affiliate Link mentioned is here – Catholic Mom Bundle Advent 2020

And don’t forget to check back on her website where I am sure the Prompt Me to Pray This Advent will eventually be sold as a standalone purchase, along with Prompt Me to Pray with the Saints !

Dear Ones, thank you for reading my post as always. May you find the path to God through Prayer – like the Saints did. Who is your favorite praying Saint? I mean – they all prayed, but we all have personal favorites. Let me know.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
Lady Em

Catholic · Catholic Faith · Counting Blessings · Davis Family · Italy · Lent · Uncategorized

Walk With Me… I'm In the Desert…

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 LadyEm632 Comments

desert

Dear Ones,

Can I ask you a question? And it’s a DOOZY… How’s your Lent going? With all this Coronavirus stuff and living in Italy, I can tell you – It’s not the best… OR IS IT?

When I started this post, my husband was laying asleep recovering from colon surgery (I’ll get to that). My child is knee-deep in virtual school – which he’s stressed about, but we’re both thankful we homeschooled before, so he’s ok. Sure, he misses his friends and being able to leave our Parco (neighborhood), but he’s doing ok.

February 25th, Marque went in for routine colon surgery to remove a bad area of his colon. We were told it was precancerous, but because there was a visiting surgeon with a colorectal specialty, we could do it sooner rather than later and she’d help out. The surgery was supposed to last three hours and lasted twelve. One of THE absolute longest days ever. People sat with me, comforted me, my child was there. And finally after 10pm, we headed home.

On the first day of Lent, I walked into the hospital room to my husband writhing in pain. It was no one’s fault. The way they laid him during surgery was slanted, and arms pinned by his side, and his shoulders were so pain filled he could not even lift his arms. The visiting Priest (ours is in California having serious surgery near his family) brought us prayer, blessings and Jesus in the Eucharist. Lent in a Day, y’all. Ash Wednesday. We got our Ashes too. Sigh

My husband was in the hospital for 23 days. I’ll spare you the details on the ups and downs, but there were some very scary moments/days where the desert FEAR causes was very real. As the days turned into weeks, the coronavirus got serious. A friend of ours, a surgical tech, warned me and made sure I understood late one evening that I would need supplies to last a month and that when I took Marque home, I should not venture out so I wouldn’t catch it. I remember being irritated because no one thought it was very serious – and then all of a sudden, Italy was shut down.

If you can imagine, here in Italy, we have to carry legal paperwork (in Italian) letting whomever might stop us know WHY we are leaving the house. We can leave for necessity, for medical needs, proven work requirements, and for returning home. Only grocery, pharmacy, a few hardware stores, and maybe a few other places are open. When the Italians decree came out that their people could no longer visit family in hospital, I asked permission to see my husband daily. AND I had to be home by curfew (6pm).

What if I told you that my husband did have cancer but it’s all gone? It never spread beyond his colon, not in his blood stream, not in his lymph.
What if I told you that yesterday, on Gaudete Sunday, as frail as he has been whilst healing (he lost nearly 50 lbs and is weak for now), he taught our son to grill chicken and shrimp and we watched a family movie?
What if I told you that this scary time has brought us closer, and helped us all appreciate one another more?

Before Marque had surgery a Priest told us we’d had our Lent laid out for us, he didn’t think we needed to give up anything else. And you know what, he was so right. The list of people I need to thank is long. I gave up sleep, my ego, and so much this Lent. We have all given up Christ in the Eucharist, and aren’t even sure if there will be Easter Mass. In my 56 years, I’ve never seen or experienced ANYTHING like it.

There were moments that I really didn’t even know if my husband would live. The fear in the desert is real. But I rejoice for this walk in the desert and the ability to be a light for others, and let others do for our little family.

I look forward to the day when quarantine is over and I can be in front of Jesus again. Until them I will adore him at home, with my little family, in our sweet desert.

Praying for you all.
Air Hugs (social distance mandate).
Love and blessings,
LadyEm

Catholic Faith · Davis Family · Emily (Me) · God's Plan · Italy · Uncategorized

The Tale of A Knee Scooter …………………and Proof of God’s Providence

January 9, 2020March 21, 2020 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Ones,
It’s cold here in Italy where there is no such thing as central heat in these cement buildings. I’m not complaining, mind you, just letting you know. Funny enough, when I dropped my son off at the bus stop (because God forbid he wear a coat on a 37 degree day – I mean it might clash with his outfit or something…), I forgot to pull off my fuzzy socks and crocs. I have on a slightly more orange than mustard yellow pants, navy tee, button-down shirt (same color as pants) with an ivory stripe in it, and a fuzzy sweater that is mustard colored. And then there is this:

Tie dye Crocs, purple fuzzy socks with white stars. Does it get any more stylish? I think not. HA

Before I tell you my scooter story, let me also mention the Pantry Challenge… I blogged about it yesterday. I have these really good soup starter mixes I want to use up (I have one left, and it’s broccoli/cheese). What you are supposed to do is boil water, add the soup mix and serve it up. What I did was, took my potato cutter (pic below) and cut up zucchini, potatoes, and added chopped onion and garlic. I sautéed the mix in a little olive oil, added basil, garlic powder, and though it called for eight cups of water, I used chicken broth for half of that. After I sautéed the veggies, I added the water/broth… and then the mix… simmered for 20-25 minutes, and served it up. My guys crumpled bacon and cheese in it. It was so good.

I am loving the Pantry Challenge – I mean it’s the fourth day.. but we are doing well. LOL

Now on to my story… before we moved to Italy, our son was the 3rd member of our family to have have left ankle surgery by Dr. Cerniglia in Fort Worth – Best Group EVER! Christopher’s was the most extensive… and, because we were PCS-ing, and he was going to be off his foot/ankle for some time, we ordered a scooter and had it meet us in Italy. After a few months, he was done with it, and the hospital wasn’t allowed to take it or let folks know they could borrow it. Soooo, God started putting people in our path.

Mid Spring, I got a call from my son, saying “Can you bring the scooter to school, a kid needs to borrow it?! I didn’t know who it was going to, but I was happy it was going to be used. Later that night, I got a message from a lady I really didn’t know well. She told me she wanted to give me a big squeeze hug as her son was the person borrowing the Scooter. We had a conversation, and talked about it taking a village.. and one day, we got the scooter back. Her son was so appreciative.

Then, this past Fall, I was volunteering at the High School’s Christmas bazaar, and there was a little girl on crutches who looked miserable (as we all do when on those devil sticks), and I overheard her mom say they were traveling a few days later for Thanksgiving Holiday. So I said, “m’am I don’t know you, but we have this scooter, and we’d love for you to use it. It’s a bright green scooter, and this little red-head was thrilled. They came by the next day and got it. And I understand it made vacation so much easier for the child.

Funny enough, I got a message on FaceBook from a lady I didn’t know, that went something like this… My name is ____ and ____ is in my daughter’s class. My daughter just fractured her ankle and we were wondering if we can borrow the scooter when ___ is done with it. I said, of course…

And lastly, yesterday, there was a lady in the hospital “Ms. A”, that I remembered from several months ago. She was in a boot then. And she was still in a boot, using crutches, and her son is say – 15 months old. Sigh. At one point, she was in an appt. and her hubs took the child on a stroller ride around the floor, and she walked out with no crutches, so I offered to find him and bring them to her. And just like that…. I was telling her about the scooter and asking if she’d be interested in borrowing it, if the folks were done with it. She was astounded and happy to accept it if it was free. I called the the 3rd borrower’s mom and they had literally just gotten the cast off. We are currently making arrangements for the new person to borrow it. I have to say, I wish I’d gotten pics of all of them on it. ❤ I wonder…

If you’re thinking, “that’s a really great story lady, but what about Proof of God’s Providence?” Let me first share with you the definition of providence:

One of the last things Ms. A said to me was “God is good that’s for sure. He always makes things work just in the timing they need to!” I had been thinking it, but the clear theme of this scooter has been “helping God’s people who need it!” God has his hand in everything. He puts us in situations we don’t expect, and allows us – if we listen (tune in) to Him – to show his love and providence to others.

I am not a great person without God. I have too many flaws. I really can’t take credit for it. God is leading me. The scooter is really just a symbol of one of the ways God is helping me. come out of the fog of not trusting him because of everything that happened from Fall of 2016 – Summer of 2019 – when I started trusting God to get ME back on track.

I am happy to be the person God is using to spread love and joy. This year, as introverted as I have become, and as un-peoply as I tend to be – I am keeping my Volunteer Commitments, and trying harder to be the good person I innately am, through God…

even if people aren’t thankful.
even if something I lend gets broken or goes unreturned.
even to people who don’t like me or have proven themselves unworthy in human terms.
even when I am tired or weary.
even if I don’t understand why God wants ME to do it.

I leave you with a reading from Today’s Magnificat.

God’s providential love is powerful.
I pray this post has blessed you.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm

Fridge or Pantry · Fridge/Menu/Pantry/Recipes · Good Cheap Eats · HomeMaker · Homemaking · Pantry Challenge · Repurposed Food (Leftovers) · Uncategorized

New Year – New Pantry Challenge

January 7, 2020January 22, 2020 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Ones,

Happy First week of January 2020! Are you a good steward of your money? Sadly – I suck at finances. 2020 is my year to be on a better path to fixing it. God has really laid people in my path to help. I am hoping to memorize Bible verses about self-restraint and being a good steward. I have to focus and live better within our means. Sigh.

This is from snailpacetransformations.com

One of the ways is with the Pantry Challenge. What is a pantry challenge? Well, Jessica over at Good Cheap Eats started doing these about 2008, or so.. You can read her explanation of the Pantry Challenge, and I’ll explain how I view it/use the challenge for our home! I have been doing it for 10+ years and it just feels comfy now.

If you’re like me, you need to purge your freezer/pantry shelves after six weeks of entertaining. First of all, January’s budget is always super tight… but more than that, since my hubs and I like to entertain, and typically cook for others from before Thanksgiving to after New Years. AND, in Italy, I’ve noticed that can mean you have way more extra than you need. Seriously! Because of where we are, we have learned to buy for “just in case”… because if ya see something and don’t buy it at the commissary, you may not get it. Bottom line, we have food for weeks… and we’re about to get creative!

For me, it represents, using what I have (aka minimal $$ spent on groceries); weeds out what I don’t normally keep as pantry basics (aka holiday entertainment items, extra flour, etc.) thus leaving room on our “pantry” (shelves we bought from IKEA) so that it’s not so unorganized looking; AND it allows me creative. Additionally, it allows me to really look at EVERY item in the pantry/fridge/freezer that may have expired, etc. (y’all do not want to know the science experiment-looking things I’ve found).

I typically start my challenge after my hub’s birthday (January 5th). This year, he turned the big 6-0! We had dinner with friends and ate leftovers. Y’all we’ve been eating so much he literally asked for no cake. HA – Serious business y’all.

So Monday, I spent the whole day in the kitchen prepping bento lunch items, and looking into creative ways to use leftovers. Here is what I did:

Cleaned and chopped carrots, celery, cucumber, onion, bell peppers.
Made stuffed bell peppers with beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and leftover rice and tomato sauce..
Made egg cups with the meat mixture that did not fit into the bell peppers.
Made chicken salad with leftover grilled chicken, boiled eggs and veggies.

For me, the rules are as follows:

Take stock of what I have using the worksheets Jess provides (Free). If this is your first time, buy the eBook. It’s the best $6 you will spend – trust me.
Use what I have.
Only buy needed items. Here it’s water (you can’t drink the water, though we do have a Berkey – and we use that for cooking), dairy, produce, and paper items.
No restocking till February 7th. We hit it super hard for a month.
After Feb. 7th, plug in more meatless meals and keep folks on track with lower carbs. We have weight to lose. BLAH!

To show what I mean about creativity, I took meat out of the freezer and create dinner and a week’s worth of breakfast with it. As a side note, I’m volunteering with the USO tonight, and my guys have choices for leftovers. BONUS!

In this is bell peppers of various colors (leftover from appetizer at holiday). Ground Beef, Italian ground sausage, garlic powder, basil, oregano, onions, and leftover rice). The tomato sauce was in a Tupperware in the fridge. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, take out, add grated cheese (I had mozzarella) and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Note, I slice my peppers long-way. I eat one, my boys eat two.

In this mix, I used the rest of the meat mixture from above. Browned the mix. Spooned it into lightly greased muffin pan. I took 20 eggs, and blended them with a hand-mixer on high, spooned the mixture in (24 muffin holes), added some grated cheese – I think colby jack. Baked on 350 for about 20-25 minutes total. I spin the pan around about half-way or the ones in the back cook faster. You’ll be able to tell. And this is breakfast for the week/weekend. Two with some yogurt (or fruit) is a good breakfast. OH – and if I had zucchini, I’d have grated some in.

It will never be my goal to lecture you about finances or show you what an idiot I’ve been. But when I find something good to share, and a lesson learned, I will do that from time to time. I pray you learn from this old lady’s mistakes.

I hope and pray your Tuesday is blessed. Join me in the pantry challenge if you want. I’d love to hear your tips too.

Love, Hugs, & Blessings,
LadyEm

Catholic Book Reviews · Kids & Teens Books · Pauline Books & Media · Uncategorized

Book Review Wednesday – A Single Bead

November 13, 2019November 12, 2019 LadyEm631 Comment

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Feast Day of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. Mother Cabrini had such a big heart and a beautiful and determined faith. She had so many hardships to overcome, and she is such a great example for me, personally – to never give up! Love her story. Check it out.

Years ago I wrote this review. But – when I moved my blog here, I lost so many great posts, but I decided to repost these. I’ve taken out all irrelevant text. And I’m hopeful you will still like the review. I have two copies of this book at all times, because I have lent many to others and none have come back. I’m not complaining. It’s a fantastic book and touched me so much. Sigh.

Now, here’s my book review.

512x8R9hD4L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_ A Single Bead, by Stephanie Engleman, is indeed a very powerful book. Written with teen girls in mind, I feel it is appropriate for the whole family, age 6th grade and up. The story is about losing hope and faith, and finding a way back to the Church through a series of miraculous events.

The death of a parent or grandparent is devastating, to say the least. Kate, the leading character in the book, finds herself the target of her mother’s anger and depression since a plane crash took her grandmother’s life a year earlier. While Kate is at the Memorial marking the First Anniversary of her grandmother’s death, she feels the need to walk away from her family and, in her own words,

“I keep walking toward the trees, and it’s almost like I’m being drawn by some kind of invisible force. Stooping down to push the flowers aside, I discover a small, silver bead, and my heart flutters. I have to hold it, touch it-feel the ridges of the letters imprinted on three sides, and run my nail along the cross on the fourth. Everything I am zones into that tiny, little bead. . . . It’s just a little fragment of a piece of jewelry, right? But it’s not. It’s a bead from Grandma’s rosary. And not just any bead. My bead.”

Through a series of miraculous events, Kate talks to and meets other people who find her grandmother’s beads. Through their stories, which are true miracles, not only Kate, but her father (a non-Catholic) are growing closer to God. One of my favorite devotions is praying the Rosary and I am thrilled that the power of the Rosary is woven into this story. Kate realizes how blessed she is to have a faith-filled family, and turns to the Rosary to calm and focus herself on the tasks ahead.

I think what appealed to me most was the honesty in the story. My mother suffered from mental illnesses and much of what this character feels, I have felt. Honesty may seem like an odd word here, but it is so important to me that the book acknowledges that people fall away from the Church and that they come back…. that we question our faith, and get great answers from the history and Tradition of Catholicsm… that people with mental illness can get help, and so can the people their illness affects…. That prayer REALLY comforts, inspires, and heals. In short, PRAYER WORKS!

Additionally, I can not tell you what it meant to me when I came into the Catholic Church and acknowledged our Blessed Mother Mary as MY Mother. I did not feel the loss I had for decades, and it was freeing. This book touched my heart, and lifted me up. For that I am so grateful.

Bravo to Mrs. Engleman. She is clearly a fantastic story-teller and I can not wait to read more of her books. If you want to know more about Stephanie Engleman, please check out her website — Stephanie Engleman.

As always, thank you Cathy @Pauline Books & Media, for sending me this book so that I could write a review. I can tell you all, I have not met a Pauline Book that I did not love. I’m so blessed.

I hope you enjoyed this review.

Hugs & Blessings,

Emily