After five days in Houston at the National Catholic Educators Association Convention and five more days in Dallas and Denton... I've got no time to be tired!
    I feel compelled to mention the only negative moment of the whole trip. It  happened in the Dallas International Airport at the gate before my last flight home. The gate agent, a woman, didn't like me much I guess. She looked unhappy from a distance and it only became more clear the closer I got. She seemed determined to make me uncomfortable. It had everything to do with my carry-on luggage... which in all was half the size of anybody else's stuff... but amounted to three items. I knew if I responded to her negativity the chances of my leaving on that jet plane would only decrease under her power. I kept my cool and crammed one small bag into another. Smashed my pralines but made her happy. Interesting to me is how her personality and way of being kinda sucked the life out of me after so much goodness. Reminded me... I don't ever want to be that "voice" that person that people remember as the only negative part of an otherwise incredible journey.

    I'm attaching a few photos from the convention and Page 1 and 2 of the handout for my session. Below you will also find photos of my time in Dallas with long time friends and an all day school visit at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Denton, TX. Once again... it was so fun to watch God work! The more I seek Him the more I find Him... no matter where I go.

    Speaking of which... I've got no time to be tired. Took my clothes in for dry cleaning the day I got back. One week from today, Squirrel and I are off to Massachusetts and Vermont for more adventure! Squirrel looked so great in his cowboy hat and bandana in Texas. What do you think he should wear for the trip back east? I'm drawing a blank... except for maybe a Harvard sweater.

ARLINGTON, VA.—Ten Catholic school boards will receive the Outstanding Board award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) during the association’s annual convention in Houston, Tex., in April.

    A change in location didn't hurt attendance. It was the perfect room for my session... filled with great people! (Chuck Lee and Kevin Mannix included - (wink))

My time in Texas was a wonderful adventure. There is too much to share. Any questions just ask. With a thankful heart... I'm signing off. Squirrel and I must prepare for Massachusetts and Vermont! Please let me know if you come up with a costume or hat idea!

Scripturally Speaking:

In response to my experience with the angry gate agent at DFW:
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
New American Standard Bible
I pray for angry, bitter people. Bad day or not... life is too short to rob yourself or others of great joy. 

     I know St. Patrick's day has passed... but I did something on that day and I wanted to share with you the outcome. By the way, at the end of this mail, you will find a very special video clip starring yours truly. 

     On St. Patricks Day I sent an email to a  friend who lives in Dublin. "How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?" I asked. I was curious if we Americans... with our corned beef and cabbage, beer and green stuff... were making more out of something Irish than Ireland ever would. While waiting for her reply, I did a tiny bit of research.

A Wee Bit of History:
      Wikipedia, as per usual, had a wonderful concise history. I was happy to read that Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century and is observed by many church denominations. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland as well as celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services, and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday's tradition of alcohol consumption." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick's_Day. I thought that was pretty much it in a nutshell. Sounded a lot like how we celebrate here... just more so in some towns than others.

My Friend's Reply:
     Hi Julie, 

     Sorry not to have been back to you but I did a rare thing... I took my final leave for the year over the St Patrick's Festival, but, Ireland being Ireland, we had snow, rain , hail and wind on the day and it was freezing!! The festivities are more of a Mardi Grais than our old traditional parade where we had pipe bands and Irish dancers along with some floats, but it brings a lot of people to the streets, mostly visitors from overseas, so I just go for a saunter around the old parts of Dublin like the Liberties area where I come from and head into our old local pub for a few pints of Guinness to end the day... 

     We also love to go to the Irish Mass in an unusual church in Dublin, the Augustinian Church in Clarendon Street near the main upmarket area of Grafton Street, this year it took place on the Saturday night before the feast and was beautiful, a mixture of Irish language and English with all the hymns in Irish by Sean O'Riorda, beautiful and peaceful in the middle of the mayhem of Dublin. 

     We are in the run up to our usual Family Mass for Easter and the Stations of the Cross for young people on Friday, so busy busy ... the children also used your lenten acclimations and are gradually starting to use more of the settings in your music, so hopefully by the end of this year we will have more of them used each week, so a great thank you for them... 

     Well, have to get the head down now and try to catch up with a weeks pile up on the desk!! 

Happy Easter, 
Ann 

     So nice to know that many things, faith and culture included connect us even while worlds apart. I am thankful for my dear, Irish friend. I look forward to visiting her in Ireland someday at the Aughrim Street Church of the Holy Family in Stoneybatter Dublin 7. I really want to hear their congregation sing the Mass of Simplicity parts. (In case you don't remember... the Mass of Simplicity is the setting of music I wrote for the Catholic church which was published by Oregon Catholic Press in 2011.) It's nice to know that God is able to use something I wrote to bless others in various parts of the world.

Scripturally Speaking: 

Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

    A young Facebook friend posted a message late one night... it read something like, "I feel useless... like nothing matters." All I could think to say in response was that's just not true. Then I wrote this song. Don't Buy The Lies.
    The devil would like nothing more than for us to feel useless. Keep your faith. Let the devil beware. Tell him he can't have you.


Here is a link to my fancy new Don't Buy The Lies YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzNgbzD0PBM

My prayers go with the music... for every person who feels discouraged, down, hopeless, afraid, useless, or any other feeling not of God. Stay strong. Don't let the devil steal your joy.

Scripturally Speaking:

1 Peter 5:8
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
New American Standard Bible

Scripturally Speaking Too:
Nehemiah 8:10
10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
New American Standard Bible

    From the time our kids were in grade school... we've been involved in sports; basketball, volleyball, track, soccer and football. Our children were never interested in debate, science or foreign language clubs. Our son dabbled in DECA... but only in his senior year... and it was really all about hanging with friends and going on overnight trips for competitions. The happy-sad thing is... he was really good at it and might have excelled in that... if he'd only put in the time. Sports was where it was at for our family. Now it's over. Neither of our children moved on to play college sports... so there's just nothing to watch. At least that's what I thought.

    Our daughter received two years free at the local Community College. She took a part time job at Regal Cinemas to earn some cash. She's a saver... not a spender... so the money is starting to pile up. The other night my husband and I went to see a movie during her shift. I got that cheer leader feeling all over again. She's really good at her job! I found myself watching her every move. Team player that she is... she jumped behind the counter to help the poor guy that was overwhelmed by customers... then she started taking and filling drink and popcorn orders. She whipped up a pair of cappuccinos and a hot dog like it was no big deal and made every customer smile. I caught myself walking with her as she made her way back and forth behind the counter. It was a little like the old days when I paralleled her moves on the court, the track or the field. Back then my insides jumped when she cleared a hurdle, made a basket or a goal. That night I found myself celebrating her grace in action... through customer service and professionalism. I stood there... filled with pride... and wanted so badly to tell everyone she was OUR DAUGHTER.

    I came away from that experience silently satisfied... knowing that sports... as parents or athletes... don't make or break us. It's life and how we live that counts. Our kids can make us even more proud by who they are and how they live. I am so proud of my children. I hope I'm cheering enough and I pray they can hear me... even when they want me to keep quiet. I look forward to discovering more of what God has in store for them in real life... who they were born to be and who they are destined to become.

    Know this... I never stayed in my seat when they made a great play or crossed a finish line... and I'm not about to start doing that now. I don't have a player number to wear anymore which is kind of a bummer.  I'll just have to keep my pride in check... and try not to embarrass them. I'll be quiet and discreet. After all... I want them to want me around... not dread my being there.

Scripturally Speaking x 3
Psalm 127:3
3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
NASB

Matthew 19:14
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
NIV

Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
NASB

    Her name was Adrianita. She is one of the most precious people I have ever known. She lived like an angel. There was not one thing she could do for herself. She was completely dependent on the rest of us. I was just the occasional visitor. Her Pimpollo family beautifully provided all she needed for life. She never spoke. Never walked. Never needed a pair of shoes. She taught me about grace, true love and compassion.

     I remember the times she and I spent together...
 and the feeling of her hand in mine. I curiously observed the involuntary movements of her body and listened closely to the sound of her voice as she quietly moaned. At times I could swear it sounded like singing... the sweetest... saddest song I ever heard.
I often wondered, Why, God?  Why is she here? The answer was spoken to my heart soft and clear. She's here so you have the opportunity to love without expectation of anything in return. I think she lived so the rest of us could serve.
  
     Adrianita was loved so well by her Pimpollo family. She lived years longer than doctors expected. I'm sure the gates of heaven were open wide and waiting when God called her home this morning. I picture her there with Madre Estela. I am imagining her dancing and singing, running and laughing. She is free at last and our loss is Heaven's gain.

Scripturally Speaking:
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

    Carry-on stowed. I settled into my favorite; an aisle seat. With an empty seat to my left, on an otherwise full plane, I knew it was going to be a great flight. My situation was as close to perfection as one can get when flying coach.

    As I began to relax, I noticed some discussion going on between two flight attendants and an older couple not taking their seats. As one of the flight crew approached... I knew my comfort was in jeopardy. The woman at the window and I were asked if either one of us would be willing to give up our seats so the elderly couple could sit together. I glanced at my seat mate... I could tell by her demeanor she was not moving.

    I looked at the spot I would be moving to and it didn't look good. It was the last seat, in the middle of the last row, in the very back of the plane. I looked back into the smiling face of the flight attendant and replied, "I'd be happy to."

    At the risk of sounding like a jerk... the middle seat I was moved to happened to be between two rather large people. I wouldn't mention it but for the fact that as I settled into the reality of my new home... their need for more space than I became immediately evident. I talked myself through as their arms settled over the top of mine.

    I can do this, I thought. I just have to try not to panic. I convinced myself, God must have a reason for this change. Perhaps we were going to crash and my seat would be safe or the elderly couple would be spared and I'd go on to heaven. Either way... I was completely surrendered and willing to take the last and worst seat on the plane... simply because it was the right thing to do.

    Final preparations before take-off ensued. It seemed to be taking a very long time to depart. I just wanted to get this portion of my adventure over with. Suddenly, the flight attendant reappeared. She called me forth with her right index finger... "Ma'am, would you please come with me?" I got up as quickly and gracefully as possible and followed her toward the front of the plane. I didn't know where she was taking me but I knew God was in charge and more than ever I was truly along for the ride.

    "We so appreciate your willingness to give up your seat, she said. We've had one of our first class passengers need to leave the flight. Would you mind taking his seat here in first class instead?" Shocked, amazed and trying to contain myself, I replied, "I wouldn't mind that at all." On a dime the tables had turned. My situation had gone from great... to bad... to worse... to more than I could have imagined. I ended up drinking from a real glass. I ate a hot tasty meal with real silverware and a cloth napkin. Everyone seemed to look at me as though I'd done something good and deserved every good thing I received. I felt humbled and thankful.

    I was reminded of this story at Bible Study this morning. As we discussed at table the Parable of the Guests in Luke's Gospel.

Jesus said:
8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:8-11
New American Standard Bible

    God knows I'm willing to give up my seat. I've done it lots of times since the first. Haven't landed in first class again. But God gave me a glimpse of what is possible and I believe in His promise; of greater things for us than we can imagine when we are willing to sacrifice. I pray I can live with a spirit of discernment... so I know when it's my turn to step down and back... or up and forward.

    I said, "yes" first and then waited to see if God would make a miracle.

    I had the honor of singing for Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass... twice today... once
at Queen of Peace Church and the second time at the Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility.  I didn't know I would be singing for 3:30 Mass at Hillcrest... until 3:00 today.

    I don't have time for this, I thought, but if the red tape falls and they let me in on such short notice, I will go and do my best for you, Lord.

    Well, a miracle happened. Left my house at 3:05pm and was on the inside by 3:30.

    Mass was lovely. Said by three Carmelites... there was incense and lot's of Spanish. I did my best with all that and was able to share the Mass of Simplicity.

    After Mass I spoke with an inmate named Brian. He said something that touched my heart.

    "Ma'am, he said, you have a beautiful voice. Thank you for being here."

    "You're welcome, Brian. I'm just doin' my job, you know."

    Softly and politely he replied, "That's not a job, ma'am... that's passion."

    I was surprised. Brian noticed. It mattered to him that I was there. He saw my heart and my passion for service through music. I thank God for Brian and the even younger man who sat beside him today, Jacob. I know where they will be this Christmas... serving time at Hillcrest. They will also be in my heart. I don't know what those boys did to deserve to be there... but I was invited into their world today and the circumstances moved me. I pray they can get their stuff worked out and live long and happy lives beyond incarceration.

    The good news is... God knows where all of us are at... and how we got here. He knows where each of needs to be and how we need to be healed. He knows who we are and what our full potential is. He knows all of the good we are capable of doing.

    Dear Lord, I pray I will always say yes to you first... no matter how much time I think I don't have to give. Good stuff happens every time I answer your call.

Scripturally Speaking:
Galatians 2:20
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
New Living Translation

Awake in the middle of the night... I listen to the sound of the rain on my window. After two crazy nights of strong winds and heavy rain... this weather seems reasonable, I think.

As always, when I can't sleep, I seize the conscious opportunity and ask, "God, Is there anything you want me to know... right now... in this moment?" I figure as long as I'm awake there must be something I'm supposed to be doing or learning. So... listening deeper still, I ask, "What is it, Lord? Speak, I am listening." Then... beyond the sound of the rain on my windows... I hear the pumps in the basement working to keep the water out.  Just what I needed to hear, I am thankful and so glad I asked.

I am reminded of a rich piece of Scripture I can really relate to...
1 Samuel 3:1-21
Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

2 One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. 4 Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!”

“Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” 5 He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.
6 Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!”
Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”
7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 8 So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.
10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

If you want to know the rest of the story... read through verse 21.

The song that rings in my brain at times like these is not one of my own! It is called, Here I Am Lord. It was written by Dan Schutte.

I recorded his song for personal use. I have never received any money for said recording nor do I want to. It is a beautiful song that has been around for many years and has inspired me for a good part of mine. I have written songs about the Still Small Voice but sometimes other composer's music gets the message across just right. Until now... this recording has only been for me to hear. If you like this song... the guy who should get all the credit is Dan Schutte. His website is: http://www.danschutte.com/WordPressSite/. The song's publisher is Oregon Catholic Press. Everything highlighted here is linked for your convenience. Here also is the link to the printed sheet music, and author recordings: http://www.ocp.org/search?query=Here+I+Am+Lord

Text And Music (c) 1981, OCP Published by OCP. 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213 All rights reserved. Used with permission. Thank you, OCP!

The place drew me like a magnet. I knew deep down there must be a really good reason for my being there.

Woke up last Sunday morning in plenty of time to go to church. I dressed casually in a sweatshirt and jeans just because. All by myself I left the house in the car which was parked last the night before. It was either take it or move it. So I took it. Along the way to church I came up with several great reasons to skip... I should just go grocery shopping then go home and surprise the sleeping members of the family with a nice breakfast. Maybe I should rake leaves, I thought,  or put away lawn furniture and make some progress around the house. Back on task and a half a mile from the church... I decided it was time to put on a little make-up... then I realized my make-up bag was in the first car to get parked last night... not the one I was in. Perfect! Now I can't go to church for sure, I said to myself... casually dressed... no make-up... and no more summer sun tan to wear on my face. I looked pale and tired, I thought. As I drove past the parking lot, there appeared to be no place to park anyway. That was good enough for me. It's too crowded. Not going for sure now... I'm off to the grocery store to start the breakfast idea! Next thing I knew... I had somehow parked the car across the street from the church and was walking toward the doors. No matter what I looked like or how much I wanted to be anywhere else... I went.

Gift number one came immediately... I got to sit next to one of my most favorite people in all the world, Mary Gorman. Mary doesn't care what I look like, I know that much and she made me feel completely loved and comfortable. Gift number two happened about 8 minutes in when I realized the congregation was singing one of my Mass of Simplicity parts. First time that has happened in my home parish. Funny thing... I didn't realize it was one of mine until verse three. I chuckled to myself and felt encouraged. Gift number three... another one of my favorite people... Mr. Lenhardt sat to my right... wearing scrubs... obviously there fresh from work... or on his way to it... no matter... he's got a beautiful voice. He was there without his family and me without mine. In a way... we were all there for each other.  Gift number four Fr. Tim's homily on blind Bartimaeus, the Biblical character who so long ago had faith enough to sit by the gate and keep calling out to Jesus. Jesus heard him, went to him and healed him because of his faith.

I received so many gifts in the hour and ten minutes it took me to be at church that morning. Of course... the best and greatest gift of all was receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus at Communion time.

As Fr. Tim so beautifully said in his homily:
"The Eucharist offers us the saving grace of faith.  As we are fed upon his Word and Body we grow in his grace if we approach this in faith and trust. We gather in the support and inspiration of our Christian family so we do not walk this way alone but with others." 

And to think... I almost didn't go. By the way... I made it home in time to make breakfast too.

Scripturally Speaking:
Mark 10:46-52
Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

46 Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

New American Standard Bible

If you wish to check out Fr. Tim's Blog called: From My Side of the Altar click here! or on any of the highlighted portions on the text of my blog. Enjoy!

In Moorcroft, Wyoming I saw a real life cowboy. Granted... he arrived in a pick up truck and not on a horse. He ordered off the menu just like me... a half order at that because otherwise it would be, "just too much to eat." The guy with him wore a baseball hat and a hoodie which completely reduced the moment to a modern day experience... still it was the cowboy that caught my eye and made me remember. 

When I was little I wanted nothing more than to be a cowboy. I never considered being a cowgirl. The only women I saw on Bonanza wore dresses and cooked for their families. Even as a little girl I wanted more than that. I wanted to wear pants and ride the open range. In my mind I was already there. My best friend at the time had horses. Being at her house meant riding for reals and pretending we lived in the olden days. At my house I settled for watching Bonanza and riding my imaginary horse all over the place.

My recent drive through the midwest brought back childhood dreams. As the road carved it's way through the mountains and across the plains I was there all over again. I was back to wanting to ride for days, to camp out overnight with only that which I could carry on my horse, to hunt for food and cook over an open fire, to herd cattle or wild horses or something, to trade with tribes and fight to stay alive. Almost all of that sounds like a good time... even today.

Here's to childhood dreams, why we have them, and the fact that there are some things we never forget. Here's to what 
I have become and what I was truly meant to be. Here also is to the fact that dreams don't have to die. They can live on if we let them. They can make us feel happy and young all over again.

Scripturally Speaking:
Matthew 18:1-5
18 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[a] is welcoming me.
New Living Translation