#SmallSuccessThursday – LadyEm ~ Under Mary's Mantle

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

Happy Thursday!

Small Success Thursday is BACK and on Instagram, but I thought I’d bring it back here too, on account of – I wanna! HA

I usually get up with Marque about 0445 to make his breakfast, put together his lunch, and get him coffee… he leaves by 0520. But this mornin, there were all over the covered bagel in his lunch box (he left it to thaw)… ugh. Yeah, this place is buggier than Florida and Texas combined! Seriously!

In the first picture, you see a lot of my kitchen. The ants in question were near the mixer (covered in Texas Cloth) and yes that is 27 degrees C on the fan (aka Air conditioner). The second picture is the shelves where behind them – and in all the bins had sugar ants in them. Thank GOODNESS we keep everything in containers (thank you Tupperware) and bags (ziploc).

But let me tell you about the small success… After a brief moment or ten of freaking out at the ants covering the bagel I needed to cut and toast… I cleaned it all up, he helped when he came down! We sprayed & wiped the bins AND powdered outside on the terrace! Yes, after all this…After I got hubs out on time, I sat down with my coffee and thought “someone, somewhere would love to be alive killing ants!”

Now listen, it’s not glamorous. But – staying positive is everything!

Other Small Successes:

making headway on PTSA paperwork.
continuing to set boundaries with manipulative people.
I am proud that my attitude is finally getting better thanks to our Loving Father’s continual correction!
starting to set attainable goals and write again!

Yay! Happy Thursday all! Tell me about your small successes!
Here are my hashtags I used. HA:
@catholicmomcommunity #catholicsofinstagram #smallsuccess #ladyemisaworkinprogress #celebratesmallsuccess #catholicmomcommunity #thankyoujesusforgreatcatholicinfluencers #dontyouwantmetocookforyou #antsareprotientoo #icrackmyselfup

Love, Hugs & Blessings ALL,
Lady Em