Walking with Pope Francis

 

I have often said the peace I feel while sitting in my church is so unbelievably rewarding. As always, the reward yesterday was received, but with even greater joy. I was listening to the words of Pope Francis from his book The Church of Mercy. His words of faith resonated around and through the many statues as if they themselves were talking to me.

 

Pope Francis' words of faith and loyalty to God rang as clear as our church bells outside, just beyond the beautiful stained glass window. However, his words didn't stop within the confines of my church. His message traveled through the town spilling through the the stained glass windows of all the denominations. Pope Francis spoke of acceptance and love. His message to me was full of hope; inviting and embracing all of us with open arms.

 

Pope Francis has come to us, in my opinion, to not only guide his Catholic followers, but also to show us how to walk with others of different faiths. I believe this path of acceptance will lead us to a peaceful destination. As we walk this path, others with varied beliefs will find the same path after traveling their own courses. All the forks in this road lead to God. All we need to do is walk with love for each of our fellow believers. Like all destinations, it matters little how we get there. The reward is in arriving.

 

So as Pope Frances speaks to me, I am filled with hope. If this one man, in such a short time, can make such an impact on the world, then with numbers we can make a difference. I, for one, will try to walk the path that leads to God. Will you walk with me?

 

 

A Breathtaking Present of Beauty

Photo from Google Postcard Collection

I am 19 years old as of July 30th. I celebrated my actual day in the truck coming home from vacationing in Texas and New Mexico. My mom, sister, and I traveled with the Fiquets to the Southwest visiting canyons, hiking, and star gazing. The days, of course, were hot; however, that didn't stop us from exploring. Even Sammie, my service dog, and I hiked Caprock in Texas and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. In Chaco Canyon, I loved imagining the year was 1600, and Sammie and I were hunting for food, stopping under the shade of a cliff overhang. The stars, the first night we were there, were so brilliantly bright there was no need for flashlights. We spent the evening admiring the huge shadows being cast on the canyon wall by the campfires.

The shadows told a different story to each of us. I saw a Native American sitting around the campfire telling a group of excited children the legend of how their people came to Chaco Canyon. The canyon was so unbelievably beautiful that night. The quietness surrounded us like a blanket, and thousands of shimmering stars overhead illuminated tranquility, solace, and peace. The peace filled the air leaving me carefree and confident, enabling me to fully appreciate God's creation. All my so-called struggles floated away intertwined with the swirls of smoke from our campfire.

 

So my birthday, though spent in a truck, my birthday present had been phenomenal --- the opportunity to experience the world before the polluting of progress.

 

Happy birthday to me.

 

 

Hugs and Whimsy!

Positive Perception Leads to Pleasant Possibilities

Perspective takes in an enormous range of thoughts and feelings.  Perspective is derived from one's experiences plus one's emotional state at the time one is perceiving.  So, that being said, perspective is personal.

When I was a small child, locked in silence, I perceived my life as an adult, would be sad, lonely, and complicated.  I would constantly think about the troubles I would have because of my communication barrier.  I always knew I would be ok with God's help; however, I never allowed myself to believe I would accomplish great things.  My perspective was real and appropriate concerning my disability.

Somewhere along the line I was given not only God's grace, but also God provided me with wonderful guardian angels who helped me perceive a different life for myself.  These angels forced me to believe I could accomplish more than I ever hoped for or let myself 
believe.  Through their convictions I have grown into a productive young adult with dreams and goals that are not only dreams but also attainable.  I will soon be a published author and possibly a paid artist.  How amazing that sounds to the little boy who years ago perceived something quite different for his life.

To thank each of these angels enough seems impossible, so I will simply say, "God bless," to each of you, and you know who you are.  Your input in my life, whether it was small or large, will never be forgotten and forever appreciated.  Thank you for perceiving me 
with your eyes and heart open, accepting what you saw, and wanting the best for me.

Climb the Mountains

Climb the mountain to happiness,

Leave the painful crevasses below.

Allow the angels to guide,

Where breaths are easy to find.

Climb the mountains you love,

And never look back.

God will take your hand,

And never leave your side.

Climb the mountain to heaven,

And find our families there.

We will be looking up,

At the snow covered peaks of freedom.

Climb the mountain and know,

We are climbing right behind you.

Academic Bowl Begins

Today is our first academic bowl meet in conference play.  I am excited to be able to go and watch my teammates play.  I will not play because I have chosen to not put myself through the anxiety.  I cannot buzz in as fast as the other teams, so therefore I don't feel right taking up a spot when we have so many on the team who can play.  I do miss not being able to play, but I love being part of the team.  I hope we do well and come out with a win.  I have been on the academic bowl team since 7th grade with 4 of the other Seniors.  Jeremee, Aaron, Andrew, and Blake have improved dramatically each year.  This year Brett decided to play again.  I am so proud of my fellow Seniors and will be cheering them on.

Discover the Power of Prayer

I have recently been asked why I thought there was so much evil in the world, and I believe  my response, although surprising to most, should be considered thoughtfully.  I just finished reading The Shadows of His Wings by Father Gereon Goldmann.  The story is about Father Goldmann's trials during World War II when as a German SS officer he found himself in danger because of his opposition to Hitler and his need to help his fellow soldiers.  As we all know, Hitler personified evil toward the Jews and also his own people if they declared a faith in God.  This evil led to torture, encampment, and even death.  So, you ask why is there so much evil in the world?

For this priest, when the evil surrounded him like attack dogs, he learned the power of prayer.  Through prayers Father Goldmann was given blessings he believed to be impossible.  His life was even spared several times due to prayer.  The war, though filled with hatred, brought about a faith that can only be described as miraculous.  Had the evil not existed, there would have been no need of prayers to insure his safety, which, in turn, increased his faith in prayer.

So, my answer to the question "Why is there so much evil in the world?" is simple.  I believe when God gave us the free will to choose right from wrong, he was certain some would choose the wrong path leading them to evil.  The existence of this wrong path  leads the prayerful to pursue a path in ministries, acts of charities, and simple acts of prayer.  Without the struggles on earth, these acts of kindness would mean very little, and the enormous power of prayer may not be discovered.

Prayer, for thousands of years, has helped many people climb out of the depths of evil.  With this knowledge, as followers of God, we should pour our soul and heart into prayer.  If prayer can perform miracles, prayer will help us through our daily struggles.  Prayer has the power to give  peace when the world around us is full of turmoil.  It has been proven time and time again.

Give the power of prayer a chance to lead you down God's path.

Snow Day Blessings

As I look out the windows of my house on the hill, all I can see is white! The glorious words, "snow day" came early last night and we got ready for a day alone in our farm house. My dad left early this morning with a bag of clothes ready to spend the night at work. Dominica is safe at college leaving Mama and I home alone.

The seclusion is both sad and exciting. I wish all four of us could be together on days like these. I love pretending we are like the Ingalls on the prairie cut off from civilization after a blizzard. Well, up here on our hill on the Adams farm feels a little like we have stepped in a time machine and traveled back fifty years or so. The day seems to be crawling by because we are not engaged in our usual business of the day.

The excitement of the day is finding different activities to occupy our time. Activities we normally push aside because our busy life won't allow them to happen. Mama and I will watch a movie together, or work on a puzzle or maybe just sit and watch this amazing picturesque snowscape come alive. The silent flakes gently land on everything in sight including the backs of our black angus cows, who will temporarily look like Holsteins. They walk slowly from the hay, to the water tank and back taking careful, purposeful, steps with caution. Their day remains certain to be cold when they line up on the north fence trying to gain some protection from the line of trees.

Luckily mama and I are protected in our home secure with food, electricity, and warmth. I sometimes feel God gives us snow days to make us slow down and take notice of our blessings. I love snow and the peaceful change it brings to my life. Stay warm and safe and enjoy. Our usual hectic days will be back soon after the plows arrive. 

Silent Peace

I love to sit outside on my trampoline at night --- especially when the moon is shining.  I have even gone outside in the winter to sit for as long as I can stand the bitter cold.  Behind my house, beyond the trampoline, is a field where deer love to meander and graze.  Many times I have seen several deer on a full moon night simply strolling along with seemingly no cares at all.  If I sit very still, I may get lucky enough to watch them for several minutes before Sparky makes a noise to frighten them away.

The deer's swiftness of feet and their ability to jump has always amazed me.  Their gracefulness is like watching a choreographed dance in which God was the choreographer.  Their movement is so swift it seems they are gliding across the ground barely leaving foot prints.  Their destination?  Another open field to graze without the danger of sounds?

I wonder if the deer will return?  I pray they will find solace again in our field behind the house.  I want to witness their dance and enjoy with them the peace of the night.  These heavenly moments of silence with the deer and I, their usual enemy, brings a truce --- if only for a short time.  Enemies living in harmony under God's moonlight.  If only adversaries of war could experience a moonlit night in my yard and feel the peace!