A bit mixed up... but life is

To send today's card: St John of the Cross

Send an Advent Cards

Quote for the Day: And if tonight my soul may find her peace in sleep, and sink in good oblivion, and in the morning wake like a new-opened flower then I have been dipped again in God, and new-created. D.H. Lawrence

Note: Yesterday - December 13th - I actually did plan on sending out the JoyNotes - but I spent so much time making two St. Lucy Cards that at 9:30 I just was too tired to keep moving.. So then I wrote the following this morning - but forgot to send it. Starting to crack up obviously. Anyway here is the message - and see if we do better next week.

To send card for the Feast of Saint Lucy

More St. Lucy Cards including the one with step by step instructions (and pictures) for making a Christmas Zito wreath.

Yesterday I got absolutely (well it seemed like it) nothing done. I was just too tired too function. Totally in "Dysfunction Junction." So last night when I started on the JoyNotes at 7:30 and it got to be 9:30 and I had hardly made a dent in the process - I decided this was just not going to work. So I closed down the shop and went to bed.

My mom always used to say (probably yours too) "Go to bed. Things will look better in the morning." And she is right... they look much rosier in the morning. I also found this quote that I have heard in various forms and probably said myself.. but here they have someone who is actually attributed to the quote.

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. ~Carrie Snow

Anyway.... I expect a little better action today! We just got back inside from our early morning "take the dog out and wake up - because its 26 degrees out there" walk. Very funny. Shelley has a pretty warm coat.. but when it is still dark and this cold she beats us back to the door. Brave dog.

Today's Peace card is why it took me two hours to get the Joy Notes started! I worked on making a card to tell you how to make your Zito Christmas wreath. Today is the day! The feast of St. Lucy. I also found a beautiful image of St. Lucy so had to make another card for her as well with that graphic. See... when you are tired you find all sorts of wonderful reasons why you should do "other stuff."

And in case you are reading this without the pictures... here is how to make the wreath.

To make your own Christmas Zito wreath find a simple round container and glue or tape (double-stick) a red, white and blue ribbon on the outside. Fill the container with dirt.

In the middle of the dirt place a big red candle with a Christmas ribbon around it tied into a bow.

Gently poke wheat berries into the dirt. Wheat berries can be found in health food stores.) Each day make sure the soil is kept warm and moist.The wheat will sprout within a day or two... each day you can watch it grow!

By December 25th the wheat will be tall enough to create a Christmas Zito Wreath!


Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Cleaning my Office

To send today's card: Our Lady of Guadalupe

More Guadalupe Cards

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Quote for the Day: "I shall show my tender clemency for those who love and seek me, for all who implore my protection, who call on me in their labors and afflictions. Our Lady of Guadalupe

My Office after a day of cleaning.... you don't even want to know what it looked like before I started! Click to see larger images... maybe I'll have clean and improved ones at the end of the week. We can always hope!!

I spent a couple of hours today attacking my office. It was a counter-attack. Definitely. Because my office has been attacking me for the last several weeks and I simply had to go on the offensive and fight back. The battle is not over - but I certainly made progress. The crowning point of my major offensive was when I found a piece of paper with a set of weekly goals on it from last year. Last December as a matter of fact. The main goal that struck me was that I had "firmly" resolved to get my office clean by Christmas!

And you know what - I definitely remember achieving that goal. I had a beautiful clean office. Only it didn't last. Not even a week if I recall. Perhaps my next goal needs to be, "To keep a clean office!" Now that would be something to remember a year later!

My friend Barb came over to help me in the attack. I really didn't think that it would work to have someone help me to clean... after all how would they know what to do with stuff? But it was wonderful. She did all the filing which included making file labels. She even kept going while I was outside checking on my brother John who had come over to winterize our little pond "pump" house.

So now I am a firm believer in getting HELP when you have a mess that seems to be overwhelming.

Which by way as I think of it.... can also apply to our "Walk with God." Today was "Confession Day" in the monastery, Father Alberic gave us the opportunity to receive this sacrament after Mass. That is one thing that is really good about living in a monastery - spiritual exercises, daily prayer, adoration, confession, etc. are all scheduled in. This makes it much easier to maintain a religious life when the structure is already set up.... you don't have to go to extra lengths to fit time with God in... this actually was one of the main reasons that I decided to join the monastery. Knowing my own weaknesses and inability to stay the course on anything without help... I deliberately made the choice to put myself in a place where I could get the help to do that.

I did not enter the Monastery until I was 25 years old.... and up until that time - my life was a roller coaster of Spirituality. Some weeks I would be fervent... some months I would not.... some weeks I didn't even hardly think of God. I knew that this pattern would only continue (as fervently as I might think at any particular moment that I wouldn't) because basically I was and am a weak person.

I think all of us - whether in the Monastery or not - need to take advantage that a spiritual community offers us. Whether as member of a Church, a Bible study or spiritual group. As Christians we need always to belong to the "body" of Christ and accept help from one another in many areas... from cleaning our messes spiritually and otherwise - to working, celebrating, rejoicing, grieving... whatever. Don't do it alone...not only do you accomplish much more - with greater ease... it's also a lot more fun!

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

Miracles big and small

To send today's card: 2nd Tuesday of Advent

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day: Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can. Lowell Thomas

Bit by bit the stories are coming in - I wanted to tell you.. that I have extended the date of submission to January 15th. As Christmas gets closer and closer and more and more things get packed into one's day - I decided I needed to do that.

Of course I hope you won't wait until January to send in your stories .. but if time gets away from you... there is a bit more time! One thing I am hoping to get more stories from religious priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. I value all the stories, I really do, but I hope that some of you who have committed to religious life more deeply will share an experience or two from your walk with God and prayer.

To get you started and to show they don't have to be super duper over the top stories I will share a memory of mine.

As many of you know, I've always been a little hung up on miracles. Nothing turns me off faster than someone saying, "Well, you know, God needed to use miracles in his day...because people didn't have the faith we have now!" Well, I may get some disagreement with this.. but from what I can see... there is certainly enough "lack of faith" in these times to sink a few battleships! And personally - I don't believe God ever made the decision... "That's it folks. I'm done with miracles. You're on your own. I've given you everything you need to make a go of it. Just swim now and you'll make the shore."

To that, I say, "Bah, humbug!" I believe God is as ready and willing to do miracles each and every day. And we don't have to deserve them either. Just a simple, "Ask and you shall receive" will be enough.

I also have no problem asking for miracles just for myself. I don't feel greedy at all... since God is the creator of everything I think we do more insult to his goodness and generosity by not asking! Years ago I wanted a little green parrot. I prayed every day. I went outside after dinner and walked in the garden and I often would tell whoever was listening, "Well, I'm going out to pray for my little green parrot." I would pray my rosary and look in all the trees and the sky for my little green parrot to show up.

This went on for two and a half years. Finally, the sisters decided if I wanted a parrot that bad, they would allow me to get one. So one day when we were out shopping and we had to get some supplies for the fish, I went over to the bird section of the pet store. There I found a little green parrot. He didn't look like much. He had been passed around from store to store because no one wanted to buy him. And each time he was moved he would get more unsettled, till finally he had started plucking out his own feathers.

When the clerk saw me looking at this little green parrot he said to me, "If you want to buy him, we will give you a very good price, because we think he needs to find a home soon as he is so stressed."

I walked quickly to the part of the store where Sr. Mary Rita was and told her about the little green parrot and the special price they would give me for him. She said, "Okay, you can get him!" So I did.

And guess how old Mikey was? Two and a half years old. The exact same length of time that I had been praying for him. For two and a half years my little Mikey had been in store after store with no one to take him home until he came to our home!

Mikey has gone to heaven now... and now I have my dear Pi (another answer to prayer), but I still remember how God answered my special prayer for a little green parrot.



Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

We have met the Enemy and the Enemy is us...

To send today's card: 2nd Monday of Advent

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day: Nobody has things just as he would like them. The thing to do is to make a success with what material I have. It is a sheer waste of time and soul-power to imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different. Frank Crand

I set my timer for 30 minutes to work on the JoyNotes because I couldn't seem to get moving. I use a timer a lot for such occasions. It sort of forces me to at least try to accomplish something. My reward is I get to play a game of spider solitaire when the alarm goes. Yea.

Don't know exactly why I say yea though, as before I forced myself to knuckle down and get to busy, I had already played and lost three games. As a matter of fact I was rather feeling sorry for myself. Losing three games in a row sort of says something about one's ability at cards don't you think? I keep telling myself I will catch on to this.. but its not happening. Still, it seemed funner than doing the Joynotes!

I don't know why. JoyNotes are not bad to do. It's just the gettin going don't you know?

We got a little more snow today. Not much, just an inch I suppose but at least we are back in the Winter Wonderland getting close to Christmas sense. I really don't care for brown Christmases. Just not the way to do things when one lives in the North.

I was praying this morning about things I have to do and life in general and the word I seemed to get was "sabotage." The thought to go along with that was to spend some time this day, looking and praying at ways that I "self-sabotage" myself. You know the negative stuff that sort of filters down and settles and you let settle? The doubts, the procrastination, the building up of molehills into mountains and all that sort of thing.

I thought I should make a list and just look at it. Sort of like "we have met the enemy and the enemy is us." Not sure who said that. Snoopy or someone much more noble - ? Oh.. just googled it and it was Pogo - a cartoon character in the early 1970's.

Anyway the idea was to face the negatives and just sort of talk to them. You know, like, "Just how long do you intend to be staying around?" And their answer will probably be something snappy and rude like, "Just as long as you let us!"

Which of course puts the whole thing back into my court. If I am being my own worse enemy... just how long am I going to continue that and why?

No idea. If I get any break throughs I will let you know. The biggest thing I am working on is "Why can't I get moving on the new book? And why do I take on every new project that pops into my head so I have no time to work on the book? Huh? Hell-o? Is anybody home?"

Yea, the alarm went off a bit ago .... and it's time to play Spider Solitaire again!

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

When it's smokin.. it's cookin...

To send today's card: Saint Ambrose

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day: “The Devil tempts that he may ruin and destroy; God tests that He may crown.” St. Ambrose

I set the fire alarm off with my cooking supper. Anyone hungry? Actually, nothing was burned, not really. Just brown as my mother would say. Fried potatoes and scrambled eggs... were delicious. Can I help if it smokes a little? Usually we close the door and open a window when I'm doing this.. but what the heck. At least we are not hooked up to the fire department - just nice little alarms that go off throughout the whole building that sound a bit like an air raid. Nothing to be worried about. Just a few flashing strobe lights in various places - a bit of pizzazz don't you know on an other wise very quiet evening.

Thankfully Pi had already gone to bed. Then again.... Pi loves noise! The more the better. He loves the vacuum cleaner - I think she thinks it is a cloud burst in the Amazon or something.. because she always spreads her wings out like she does when its shower time. Sometimes she likes to see if she can out shout the vacuum. I think she may actually do that. She can definitely get her point across when she needs to.

My big goal for this evening is to get more than six hours of sleep. That would be nice. Maybe I could think and make sense when I talk. Maybe I woudn't bite people's head off if they do something that I think is less than brilliant?

Yep, that's my big goal for this evening....

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

JoyNotes - St. Nicholas - Shout Life

To send today's card: Saint Nicholas

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day: The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. Burton Hillis

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas!

I'm in a very bad way tonight. Every little thing distracts me. First I have to go here.. then I have to go there.... sigh. I may never get this out before morning... if I don't settle myself down.

Jeremiah (cat) was in such a funny, funny pose tonight... he was laying on the couch like King Tut or something. I went to get my camera - but naturally he had moved. I took a picture anyway but his eyes didn't come out right... they make him look like a space cat from Planet Zulo or something so I decided not to share it. I think it would have affected his dignity and he's quite proud of his dignity you know.

We had lots of nice snow... but then we got lots of nice rain.... and it looks like we won't be getting any of the white stuff for at least a week. I hope we have a white Christmas. That always used to be a given but not so much anymore. Of course I used to live a little bit further north than Spokane - and we got lots of snow.

A friend today told me about a sort of Christian My space place called Shout Life So I decided to take a look and sign up and see how it goes. So far it seems nice... and you can also see how I was getting distracted by putting up my page!

Well, best get moving.... or it will be five o'clock in the morning and Sr. Colleen will be wanting me to go out with the dog and I never will have gone to bed. What a horrible thought.

Our Teleseminar tale of Woe

Hi Everyone,

It is after 9:00 and I just don't have the push right now to do the
JoyNotes....so I am going to be kind to myself .. and take a break.

Susan Rowland and I did our Teleseminar... and everything seemed to
be working on our end... except that nothing was working on the Web
site end. Twenty people or so were on the phone version.. but the
web site would not work for anyone! We had almost 500 people signed
up for the call through me and tons of others folks through Susan.
All in vain.... well, not totally you know.. but it seemed like it.

Sad... sad... sad....

Here is the letter I sent out to the friends who signed up for the
call.. and I want to share it with you.. and also the link to the
free audio. Maybe some of you will want to listen. I thought we did
pretty good! Guess I can say that since we don't have the actual
recording to prove us right or wrong!

To the wonderful friends who signed up for our free Teleseminar.


I am so sad that the web portion of our seminar did not work. Rats!
Not only that but it did not record either. Rats, again!

So that's the bad news. Got that taken care of. It was totally out
of our control - as most of you know... sometimes things work on
the internet and sometimes they don't. This was definitely one of
those sad "don't" times.

The good news.. or sort of good news is that Susan and I did a
complete audio practice of the call this morning. It came out so
good I remember thinking, "Gosh, this is scary! Does this mean the
actual one isn't going to work?" I do have a pessimistic streak in
me you know. Well that streak turned out to be right this time.

But .... we do have that recording.... and though every time you do
something it comes out a bit different.. it did come out! So there
is something... if you want to take a listen!

Free Recording

http://101prayer.com/clean

Susan also has her book available at a special discount which we
were going to offer in the program.... sigh...that's available on
the web site as well.

We apologize again for not being able to come through for you. And
a special greeting to the 20 or so friends who did join us on the
phone lines! At least we did not do it in vain!

Hope you enjoyed it!

God bless you all, each and every one. You are special!

Sister Patricia and Susan

Crazy Shelley or Crazy Sisters?

To send today's card: Saint Barbara

Quote for the Day: The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist. Pope St. Gregory the Great

All dressed up and nowhere to Go



Just so you know, other than Shelley's poor manners in gulping down other people's food now and then.... she actually does put up with quite a lot of our craziness as well! Sister Colleen decided to share her winter hat and scarf. The amazing thing is not so much that Shelley allowed her to do that .... she even allowed us to take her picture.

Oh, and just so you know it's not always Shelley! This evening at supper, Sister Rita Louise put out some of the food and Jeremiah (the cat) decided to test out the butter while no one was around.

Yesterday we had lots of snow. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Today we had lots of rain. Up in the mountains they got 50 inches... glad we got our version in a more liquid state! Fifty inches in one day would be a bit much!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

P.S. There is still time to sign up for the free teleseminar I am doing with Susan Rowland today .. on "Making Room for God at Christmas - Cleaning out the Clutter." Here is the link to sign up.
Making Room for God .

6:00 pm Pacific Standard time
7:00 pm Mountain Standard time
8:00 pm Central Standard time
9:00 pm Eastern Standard time

Once you sign up - you can come back anytime and listen to the recording. So if you can't make the live call - you can always get the recording. You can also save it to your computer and pass it on to friends.
Making Room for God

http://101prayer.com/clean/

Funny Dog Story

To send today's card: Saint Francis Xavier

Quote for the Day: The next best thing to winning is losing! At least you've been in the race. Nellie Hershey Tullis

A lot of people know that email is my total downfall. I never seem to get to it. Maybe it's denial. So much of it.. how do you handle it? Most of the time I don't. I make a stab at answering a few - but the full load of it everyday... nope... just doesn't happen. I expect my purgatory will be taking care of all the emails I didn't take care of in my life. Woe

The thing is though. I love e-mail. I really do. It's just I don't have time to answer most of them and then I feel bad and then I decide the only way to deal with it is to play a game of spider solitaire. Chalk up another day in purgatory.

Oh... but now and then --- life breaks through and I get a wonderful email that I have to answer.. right this minute.. or at least share.... and here is one. It actually wasn't an email.. it was a comment on my blog (I copy the peace care text and put it on the blog.. so if you get this.. you also get what is in the blog.) Anyway this was in response to when I wrote about Shelley eating the peanut butter we were supposed to have for dinner We did by the way, have peanut butter... just not the serving she helped herself too!

This is from Diane - seems like it should be printed up in Reader's Digest or something.. just so funny!



It is not the owners it is the dog.



I have two cocker spaniels and two puppies who have not gone to their new homes yet. I, as well as my family members, have paid for as well as invested much time in training, however , as I was told on the last day of the last class, These wonderful animals are in fact animals. They like food and no matter how well trained they are, they will still like food.

A few years ago my son , who usually buys school lunches decided to pack a lunch because he did not like what was on the menu. We packed a roast beef sandwich and a few other items and he was on his way.

Later in the morning I got a call. It was my son asking if I would pack him another lunch and bring it to school. When I asked what happened to the lunch I previously packed (hoping that he gave it to a less fortunate child or something noble), I was told that I wouldn't believe him if he told me.

When I showed up at the school I got an explanation that , coming from my son, I probably would not have believed. It seemed that the local police department had brought in drug sniffing dogs to do locker checks. Another local police unit brought their dogs in to help be trained by the current service animals. As they approached my son's locker one novice dog became excited. He signaled that he detected something.

The no tolerance school cut my son's lock off, opened the locker allowing the dog access. Access to my son's lunch that is. (I guess this dog had a thing for Roast Beef ) He pulled the lunch bag out grabbed his sandwich and began to eat it (ziplock baggie and all)

The officer took the sandwich from the dog and examined it for drugs but only found roast beef and cheese. Another dog was brought to the locker and the locker searched but no drugs were present.

The embarrassed officer was very apologetic and immediately offered to pay for a new lock and a school lunch . We all had a big laugh. Amazingly this dog is now one of the top K9 s on the force. Just goes to show !


Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

P.S. There is still time to sign up for the free teleseminar I am doing with Susan Rowland tomorrow .. on "Making Room for God at Christmas - Cleaning out the Clutter." Here is the link to sign up. Making Room for God .

JoyNotes - St. Andrew

To send today's card: Saint Andrew

Quote for the Day: I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision. Clement Stone

Oh woe upon woe... I seem to be catching the virus or whatever that Sr. Colleen has. She has been totally wiped by this bug - so hoping it doesn't get me in the same way. Sr. Rita Louise got it yesterday... its been there in the background with me for awhile.. but it seems to be making advances. Oh rats.

Thank you for everyone who signed up for our community newsletter. It should be going out in the mail next week. One sad note though that I forgot to mention. We are unable to send the newsletter to anyone outside the U.S. because the mailing is too expensive. Sorry, I didn't say that in the beginning.. I forgot! I will put a link to a version that you can download as a pdf next week.

Also thank you for those who signed up for the free teleseminar! Here is the link again if you are still thinking about it. http://101prayer.com/clean/

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

Clutter Free Christmas

To send today's card: Another Snow Man

Quote for the Day: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. St. James

Today was one of those nice days where I did all sorts of things and got all sorts of things done.... only..... it wasn't all the sorts of things I probably should have been doing. Know about those kind of days?

Kind of reminds me of the quote that says, "Life is what happens when you are making other plans."

Oh well, I hope it was in God's plans. One of things I want to share with you is a fun and free teleseminar I am doing with my friend Susan Rowland. I met Susan when I went to the Religious Trade Exhibit last spring. She was one of the "chosen" authors to do book signings for Saint Anthony Messenger. So that was neat.. but where I really learned just who Susan Rowland was - was when we shared a meal together courtesy of Saint Anthony.

Susan kept us absolutely in stitches. She was so funny. She is a sort of vegetarian. Sort of meaning that she doesn't go into "meat shock" if meat is served. In fact, she actually ordered a STEAK because she felt her body was in need of a little non vegetarian nuturing for the moment. Now that is the kind of vegetarian that is fun to sit next to. Not one so horribly, terribly, rabid that you never quite know what to serve if you invite them to dinner... or to talk about if you are munching on a delicious piece of chicken when you are sitting next to them. I see nothing wrong with being a vegetarian.. I just prefer them in moderation.

Anyway, Susan's book which I read, loved and started reading for a second time... is called, "Making Room for God: Clearing out the Clutter." Well, you all know that Clutter is my first, middle and last name. It just kind of follows me around wherever I go.

So, I persuaded Susan to do a Teleseminar ( a 3 week session in January) teaching myself and anyone afflicted with such tendencies to clear out the clutter. She had never done one before .. but I thought a Teleseminar on Clutter busting would be absolutely wonderful! So she agreed. That will be in January and that will cost a little - but ...

But next Tuesday ..... Susan is going to give a Free Teleseminar that you can listen to either by calling in on your phone (you will have to pay the phone charges) or listen for free on the web. If you would like to join us for one hour next Tuesday evening.... you can go to this page Making Room for God at Christmas and sign up.

When you sign up - it may seem like you are signing up for a subscription to a newsletter or something... you are not.. just the one class. It's just the only sign up form I have and that is just how it is worded. So ignore that part.. but you will have to confirm that you want to go to the class in order to get the information for signing up... etc. etc. Also we will want to send you a reminder or two... before the day so you don't forget!

Hope a few of you will join us! Even if you are one of those organized, got it all together folks... you will have fun with this class I think.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

Winter

To send today's card: Snow Family

Quote for the Day: On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can do that. Bruce Larson

Been a busy day. Sister Rita Louise came home from a visit with her mom for her 80th birthday. She hadn't been home for 23 years or more and this seemed like a significant enough reason to make a home visit. Her mom was so excited! She went last Friday and came back today.... she had a wonderful time but she is glad to be back and we are glad to have her back!

Shelley did something with her toenail last night... split it or something.... anyway she ended up going to the vet and spending half the day there.

We got snow! It's turned into winter. Just like that. Didn't ask me or anything... just did it.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Winter Community Newsletter - Sign Up

To send today's card: http://franciscancards.com/cat.shtml?s/snowangel1b.gif

Quote for the Day: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Johann von Goethe

Tonight we are supposed to get snow. Hmmm? Am I ready for this? No, I definitely am not.. but at least I guess it will clear up my mistaken impression that we should still be enjoying summer.

Shelley is in the doghouse again. Her crate. I'm thinking I will print a little sign and paste over it.... Sing, Sing .... which if you don't know is the name of a very notorious prison... for the really bad, criminals. The ones society doesn't think capable of reforming.

So what did she do? Helped herself to a bowl of peanut butter that was supposed to go on our sandwiches for supper. The problem with this dog.. is that you think you really have set things totally out of her reach... but the problem is.... she is learning to extend her reach by quite a bit.

I hesitate to share this with you. Our decadent dog.. because in sharing it... I open myself up to comments. Comments like, "Can't you control your dog any better than that?" and such sage, helpful advice as "You know the problem is not with the dog, the problem is with the owner."

But life is very short.... and so I risk my poor reputation by sharing with you our complete ineptitude with the dog.... and her voracious eating disorder..... maybe because I rather feel with the onset of fall and winter.. my eating appears to be a bit out of control as well!

Yesterday I had to work on getting our newsletter out. Yes, indeed even on Sunday..... and so the only way it could be done was with M & M's .... the peanut ones.... I bribed myself..... it was the only way I could stick to it. Write a sentence - pop in a M & M. Works everytime.

Oh! I meant to say... if you would like to receive our free "snail mail" community newsletter "Called by Joy" ... send me your name and address. The Winter issue is rather nice because it also comes with a little desk calendar, an apostleship of prayer leaflet (the pope's prayer intentions for each month) and a beautiful holy card of the Sacred Heart with a novena to the Sacred Heart. We pray this novena every day. It's very good.

My regular email address seems to be down for the moment.. so send .. to srpatosc@gmail.com

I have to have your address by Wednesday at the very latest .. sorry about the short notice.. but I just kept forgetting.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

JoyNotes for Monday - November 26, 2007

To send today's card: Christ the King

Quote for the Day: It's not the situation, but whether we react (negative) or respond (positive) to the situation that's important. Zig Ziglar

It's Monday morning. Early. I woke up at 4:30 and decided it was time to get up. Which was good because last night I went to bed at 8:30... which if you know me is very early. But I was feeling wiped and decided I was better material for sleep then anything else.

Soon I will have to go and wake everyone up. It will be five. They will be so glad to hear my voice. Ha. Ha. Ha. Sometimes I feel like our Navy sargeant in boot camp. The men got woken up I heard with a trash can banging down the hall... we got woken up much more civilized. All the lights came on (we were in a huge room with about fifty beds) and those big lights were like flood lights at 5:00 in the morning. Then over the intercom would come this sickenly sweet voice. "Good Morning, Ladies!"

You could tell she relished her job. It was not good. We did think too sweetly in return of that sweet voice.

My morning wake-up is much different. No bright lights.. just the shuffle of my slippers down the dark hallway. Three knocks on the door and I say quietly (because at 5:00 in the morning, a quiet voice is all even I can manage). "Let us praise the Lord." And such the day begins.

For Sister Colleen and myself we get the further pleasure of waking up more throughly by taking Shelley out for her morning duty. Usually, the colder it is - the swifter she is. Usually.

It's 24 degrees this morning. I hope she's up to her usual quick run and not into a sniffer mode...

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Friday after Thanksgiving

To send today's card: Cute Lion Cub

Quote for the Day: If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. Nora Roberts

Okay, I have to share this site with you... because it is just way, way too funny. and I hope no one gets scandalized - because this person is just so real..... and I love it. It is called Crazy Aunt Purl . http://crazyauntpurl.com/

It is about this lady who at age 35, after being married for nine years, her husband decides he needs to live a more creative life.. and leaves. She starts blogging... a private blog.. just as sort of self help therapy. But she is so funny. I think you will love her - and her book... which sounds a bit too much.. is called "Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair."

But I really didn't find anything about her being like "really" drunk... just how she coped with stuff.... and now she is a best selling author with up to 36,000 people visiting her blog on a good day! Anyway.... its full of knitting (that's where the Aunt Purl) comes in... and she lives with her four cats... which is where the "Cat Hair" comes in... and as far as the "Drunk" part - far as I could see she was just sitting at a table drinking a beer or something.... and making a face. So.. she obviously overstates things.. but makes for fun reading...

Do read her very first entry here so you can get a better understanding of it. http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2005/01/index.php

I wrote the above yesterday... which is a good thing.. because after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner - my brain is fuzzy. But I do like that Crazy Aunt Purl site.... I like how she blogs... just on and on about this and than and then pictures of cats. Fun.

Often times when I write I have this voice that keeps whispering all these little warnings.. "You shouldn't write about things like that!" "You are a nun for heaven's sake - people will be scandalized." Bosh. Isn't that just such a downer.. trying to live up to other people's expectations of who or what a person should be... nun or otherwise? I mean every single nun I have met is as different as every single person I have met.. and yet we all (including me) have these preformed judgments of just what a nun should do and a mother should do and you should do.....

Terribly binding don't you think?

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Friday after Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Nine

Quote for the Day: For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well, for a while today it looked like Thanksgiving was going to be on hold as a couple of our Sisters were sick. But... it looks like bed rest and some medicinal potions at least has one of them back on her feet.... and for tomorrow... being that she (Sister Rita Louise) is the Cook.. we are all very Thankful!

Of course we could always postpone it a day or two... but it never seems quite the same. Nice.. but not quite the same. BUT it looks like the turkey is going to get in the oven tomorrow and we're back on! Something new to be thankful for!

I hope you have a very wonderful, blessed and Thankful Thanksgiving tomorrow.... even if you are not in the U.S.A. - I hope you have a Thank-filled Day too!

Day Nine

Lord Jesus,
You are the same
Yesterday
Today
and Tomorrow.

Today, Lord,
I thank you
for my Tomorrows.

Not only the Tomorrows
I hope to spend
for ever with you
in eternity . . .

But the Tomorrows
You have carefully planned
for me in this
Time
and Space.

I thank you
for the people
I will love Tomorrow
I thank you
for the Food
You will provide
the Shelter
the Comfort
the Peace.

I thank you
for the New Doors
you will open
Tomorrow.

I thank you
that whatever
Tomorrow will bring
I know
You will be There!

Thank-You!

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Feast of the Presentation of Mary - Thanksgiving Novena Day Eight

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Eight

Quote for the Day: Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Helen Keller

Today is the beautiful feast of the Presentation of Mary! I pray that Mary will ask a special blessing for you from her Son! Expect something wonderful!

If you would like to read the missing Novena days (they were on Saturday and Sunday when I didn't send out JoyNotes) you can visit all nine days here. Thanksgiving Novena.

This evening we had a wonderful sharing time with a group of four young women (two who are our neighbors) who are in a Christian group together and in following a book on living a Christian life - decided when they got to the Chapter on Prayer to come and see what our life of prayer was about. Was fun. We shared, they shared and God blessed us all.

Only one more day till Thanksgiving!

Day Eight

Prayer for
Eighth Day of Novena

Today Lord,
I thank you
for the gift
of your presence
in the Eucharist.

I don't understand it
I hardly can comprehend it
and yet with faith
I grasp it
and hold it firmly
in my heart.

Oh God of the Universe
Creator of all
how wonderful
how awesome
that you should
become so small.

I thank you for
the witness of Your Love
made present
in great humility.


Such a lesson
for me
to seek
not high ways
and men's ways
but always
the little way
of humility
and love.

Thank you most wonderful God
for the gift
of being small.

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Thanksgiving Novena Day Seven

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Seven

Quote for the Day: It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. Unknown

Well, Shelley is back to being an only dog. Taz left this morning with Sr. Colleen's brother and family. It was fun while it lasted. It was fun having two Golden retrievers in the house... both friendly - lovable and ready to gulp down anything you don't want. I'm not sure but I think Shelley might be part goat - anything that even faintly looks like foods she's ready for. I'm surprised she hasn't attacked our cookbooks.

Had my mom over today for dinner. Was nice - she is so pleased over little things. Lots of things make her smile. A cute picture, the sun shining, the cat sprawled over the floor so you can't get around him unless you pet him... just little things. I think her dementia is probably worse but certainly not her attitude. That is a blessing. Every day I pray for my mom to be happy. She doesn't have to be cured of her dementia or anything to change for her.. except to be happy.

I think the gift of being happy under any circumstances is a gift from God.

Prayer for
Seventh Day of Novena

You know what I thank
you for today, Lord?
I thank you
for You!

I thank you
that at any moment
of my day
I can just start
a conversation
with you and
know you are really
and truly listening!

I thank you
that you are always
just a prayer away.
What an awesome
thought
to know
that at any moment
just by lifting
my mind and heart
a bit
I can talk
to the very Creator
of the Universe.

That you know me
inside and out
the good the bad
and the ugly
and you still
love me.

What could I give
greater thanks for
than that?

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Thanksgiving Novena - Day Six

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Six

Quote for the Day: The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. Mark Twain

I think the biggest complex task that is facing me (yes, once again) is cleaning this desk! I expect it is a symptom of procrastination - called pile it and deal with it later.

Oh well... time for bed.. I will deal with it later!

Prayer for
Sixth Day of Novena

Today Lord,
I want to thank you
for the Unexpected!

Those gifts you gave
to me in in odd shaped packages
in colors I didn't like
and sizes I didn't want.

Those gifts I never would
have chosen for myself,
that landed on my doorstep
unwanted
unasked for
and definitely
in my blindness
gifts I thought I didn't need!

Those gifts that changed
my life forever.
Those gifts that brought
tears when I opened them
like the death of a loved one
or a loss of something
so precious to me.

Those gifts that opened
a new meaning to my relationship
with you.

Those gifts
that painful as they were
caused me to grow
and develop in ways
that only You knew
I needed to do.

Yes, Lord
today most sincerely
I thank you
for taking hold
of me and giving
always the best
and most valuable
of gifts!

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters