Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/humility.htm#ixzz1iv892Mm3

On Turning 40

Yesterday was my last day in my 30s.  It was an eventful and amazing decade.  I started my 30s living in Hoboken, New Jersey, a virtual newlywed, with no children.  We celebrated my birthday at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in New York City, a nod to my Texas roots.  Later we went to Chelsea Piers for some glow-in-the-dark bowling.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I had a minor freak-out the morning of my birthday.  30 was so old!  I was a pioneer among our group of friends, even my husband is younger than me.  It was a year to remember. Before my 30th year was over, I'd be a mother.

In the next 6 years, I had 3 more children, our youngest born 3 years after we moved the family to Ohio.  It seems that these days, more than my own birthdays,  I mark the passing years with the start of a new school year.  Things move pretty fast once you have children and the time to think about what you want or where you are going is scarce, at least for me.  Today, I turn 40.  It's a big deal, but rather than have a panic attack, I think I will do myself a favor by considering my blessings.

I am happily married and have been for 13 years. I have a husband who is a good man, who loves me, meets my needs and goes out of his way to meet my wants.  He's a special man, unlike any I have ever known.  I never had a doubt in my mind that he was the man God made for me.  Even through the challenging times of our life, no matter what we face, I know he is mine and I am his. I definitely count him as my biggest blessing.

I have 4 absolutely beautiful children who are tender-hearted and innocent. Yes, of course they make me insane, but that's what kids do.  Despite all of my mistakes in judgement and parenting, they are thriving and love me anyway.  The moment I became a mother, the moment I knew I was pregnant with my first child, my entire perspective on life shifted and nothing will ever be the same. Motherhood is a gift beyond anything I ever imagined. 

I am healthy and strong.  Every year, when my birthday rolls around, I look in the mirror and think, "Well, nuts!" My reflection hasn't been something I've wanted to look at since my first child was born.  2 years ago I started an exercise program that changed my life.  I was squeezing into an 18, happy that it wasn't a size 20.  I'd just had a baby 2 months earlier and my body never handles that well.  I was 38-years-old and unhappy with everything I saw in the mirror.  2 years later, I feel good about myself.  I can fit into clothes I wore when I was 30.  I feel pretty good in a swimsuit, not that I'm bikini ready (and let it be known, that I will never wear a bikini to the town pool).It's been a long road to get here but I'm so proud of the work I've done.

There are a more blessing than I can count. God has looked kindly on me.  Among my other blessings are my family, Kevin's family, our friends, our home, Kevin's job, Team Beachbody.  Truly my blessings are as numerous as the stars.  But I'm a work-in-progress. I'm not done working with the things God has given me to become the woman He wants me to be.  Not by a long shot.  So I'm looking back on the past so I can appreciate where I am now and where I hope to be in the future.  40 is a big deal, but not really.  It's all a matter of perspective.

My Three Favorite Scriptures

Holly at A Life-Size Catholic tagged me in my first ever blogging meme (just like her, I had to look it up.  A blogging what?)  The question is, " What are your 3 favorite scriptures?"

 

Ok, so this is going to take a little thought.  I've got 2 right off the bat, so while I think, here are the rules:

1. Write a post on your three favorite verses from the Bible and why you like them.

2. Link back to this post. 

3. In your post, tag three other bloggers to carry this theme forward, link to you and tag additional bloggers.

Elizabeth at Startling the Day
Munches Mom at Four Blessings Academy
Sarah at Snoring Scholar

Ok, here we go:

One

Psalm23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff-- they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.

This verse is the one of the only things that got me through the most stressful time in my life. I was a new teacher, thrown into the deep end only knowing how to dog-paddle.  My in-training year was as a special education teacher at an inner city high school full gang members.  It was so stressful that my hair actually fell out in clumps!  How I survived that year is strictly do to the intercession of our Lady and the immediate relief reciting this psalm brought me.  Even now when I read it, I can feel the peace cover me.  

Two

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

While at a Disciples for Life retreat a few years ago, I found this verse in the Bible while trying to understand God's will for my life.  It was purely Divine Providence that lead me to this.  It was a time in my life when I was extremely lonely and overwhelmed.  We'd just moved across the country with 3 very young children and had just barely started to settle in, but still didn't have any friends.  I was in my room after a full day, praying and begging for God's help in understanding what he wanted me to do when I turned the page to this verse.  Someone at the retreat had mentioned having a life verse and this seemed to be exactly what this was meant to be for me.  I mean, it could only be clearer if it said, "MARY, LISTEN, I'M TALKING TO YOU HERE"  and and angel came a shook me by the shoulders.   To tell the truth, it's a process, rejoicing always, praying continually, giving thanks in all circumstances.  If it came naturally, I don't think it would be my favorite, but I'm working on it.  I've been looking for it printed on a stone that I can set on my kitchen window sill, but I haven't found it yet.  The more I see it, the more I'll remember to put it into practice. 

Three

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 

If you know me, then you not in vain is a phrase of particular importance to me.  It seems to have come about almost accidently, inspired by a poem by Emily Dickinson.  If the verse from 1 Thessalonians  is a life verse, then this has been my life poem: 

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching
Or cool one Pain

Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain.

The phrase that I've held onto all these years is "not in vain".  It has come to mean so much 

more than what I originally thought with this poem. It applies to my life in so many ways.  When 

I realized the phrase appears all over the place in the Bible, it took on even greater significance. 

 I always sit up and take notice when I hear it at Mass.  It's my special little connection with God. 

Small Successes (Vol 29)

My parish priest told me something the other day when I was lamenting my failures as a mother and a Christian.  For some reason it was a revolutionary thought, although I have always known it.

"God doesn't ask us to be successful. 

He asks us to be faithful."

I can't stop thinking about it and when I have more time, I will write down my thoughts.  If you write about this topic, I'd love to read it!


1.I'll start with an update that has been a couple weeks in coming.  You may remember that I mentioned I entered the Beachbody's Million Dollar Body Game and was waiting to see if I made it through to the next level of the contest: Facebook voting.   Well, I didn't.  My husband entered too. He's a skinny guy who got ripped in 90 days (gaining weight is harder than you might think for people like him). He didn't move on either.  But we tried and regardless of what contest officials decide the end result is that we are both healthier and fitter than we've been in our lives.  I am so proud of us that I am going to share our photos! You can see Kevin's photos here: The Fit Life (They are pretty AMAZING and worth the click!!)

Faithfulness to my exercise and nutrition plan (though sometimes I cheat) has got me to this point.  I am a coach (for free) so if you'd like help getting started, let me know.

2.  I passed my Turbo Kick Instructor training!  Now I just gotta learn the choreography and get some confidence and I can start instructing live classes.  That is so scary!!!

3.  I'm semi-caught up with the laundry.  That means it's clean and partially folded.  I guess this is a semi-success.  A success-in-progress.  But then again, aren't we all?

Stop by Faith and Family Live, where people just like you and me share out successes-in-progress.

Small Successes (Vol 28)

Ok, I've had a few big things happen in the past week.

1.  Kevin talked me into entering the Million Dollar Body Game with Beachbody.  So, I submitted my before and after pictures along with my story on Thursday.  All this week, they will be reviewing entries and next week the ones who pass will move on to Facebook voting.  If you have an account, please click the Find Me on Facebook badge to the right and ask me to be your friend (I'd be delighted!).  That way you will know if I have made it through and you can vote for me every day until voting closes!!!!  The person with the most votes moves on to the next round in LA and the National Beachbody Coaches Summit.  Is this exciting?

By the way, if you are new to my blog, I should tell you I did this on my own, at home. No gym membership no personal trainer.  Just good old fashioned hard work with Beachbody workouts, like P90X.  My real secret weapon has been Shakeology.  It killed my cravings for junk and helped keep me on the straight and narrow. It's been so amazing that I've become a Beachbody coach so that I can help others feel like I do (for free).

2.  Geez, after that, what else can I say?  It's been a week of conquering fear for me.  I took the Turbo Kick Instructor certification training on Sunday.  Maybe you're familiar with Turbo Jam or Turbo Fire? This is the live class version taught in gyms and fitness centers.  If I passed (I think I did) I can be a fitness instructor.  Is that crazy or what?!  I can't believe I did that.  I was so scared when I left that morning for the class, but I just kept telling myself, "I can do it!" over and over.  At the end of the day, when it was time for the test, I said a fast prayer to the Holy Spirit and St. Sebatian (The patron Saint of athletes) to help me do my best.  I felt really good and I was smiling the whole time.  I almost cried during the test because I kept reminding myself of the amazing accomplishment I was about to have.  I kept telling myself, " You are doing so WELL! You are doing an awesome job!"  I seriously almost cried while punching and kicking!  I am so proud of myself. I can't believe the things I'm doing this year. I just can't!

3.  That's it. I don't have anything else to say other than I hope you are out there trying to overcome your fears.  Looking at it from the other side is so amazing!  Please remember to be my friend on Facebook and if I make it, VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!  Thank you!!!

It's so very very important that we take the time to celebrate the big and the little things we accomplish. They are all important.  Go to Faith and Family Live and share your successes!!

Five Minute Friday: If You Met Me

Do you ever wonder what you'd find...........If You Met Me?

Go!


If we met, I hope you would notice that I am a friendly and positive person.  You'd know that I love being in a good conversation, there are few things I enjoy more.  If we talked for any length of time, you'd learn of my enthusiasm for fitness and how it is something I never thought I'd be so interested in.  You'd learn that I love to encourage people to go after their dreams, big or small.  You'd learn that I am a good listener.  If we met, you'd see that I am always tweaking my life in one area or another trying to make it run more smoothly.  You might see that I need help accomplishing my goals, just like anyone else.  Mostly, I hope you'd see that I am a good friend.

Stop!

Got 5 minutes? Jump on over to The Gypsy Mama and link up your 5 minutes worth of thoughts.  As you can see it definitely doesn't have to be beautifully written.  :)  Just get it out there.  And don't forget to leave a comment for me here! 

Small Successes (Vol 27)

1. Yesterday I took the kids to TJMaxx to find an Easter dress and another dress for a school fundraiser. The whole event was as fun as you'd expect it to be. Going to a fitting room with a toddler and a 5-year-old is always a thrill.  But, I found 2 awesome dresses that make me look skinny.  Who doesn't love that?

2.  I actually managed to get the kitchen clean this week, including the floor!  It only lasted about 4 hours and now it looks like I never did anything.  I did take a picture as proof though.

 

3.  I am getting really strong.  I've been doing ChaLEAN Extreme and my muscles are really starting to get defined.  I'm working hard and it feels better than I ever thought.  Plug for my business: I'm a Team Beachbody coach and if you have been thinking of getting fit, please consider allowing me to help you! You can contact me at www.beachbodycoach.com/notinvain

Think about your week and share your little triumphs here at Faith and Family Live.  It's an awesome group full of encouraging people!