The Passion Of Christ

Truly one of the best movies ever made. If you haven't seen this, I highly recommend it.
 I cried watching with Hubby a few years ago in the theater. They were actually tears of joy that Christ did this for ME. It is the only time I ever saw my Hubby cry at a movie.  I watched it again with my daughters.  I bought the DVD and I am thinking of watching it this weekend.

I haven't talked much about religion lately on Blog.  Those who know me know that my faith I live everyday, not just the Christian holidays.  I do love to read the many things my favorite Bloggers post this time of year regarding our faith.

Even though some of us have some small differences in our religious practice, it is an important part of most of our lives.

To all my Christian Friends, I pray for a Happy Easter.

For all my Jewish Friends, a lovely Passover.

Love In Christ~

Quondam Tuesdays Young Life

For Quondam Tuesday I am taking you back to the late seventies and earlier eighties, when I was involved with a Christian Youth Group called, Young Life . Lots of stuff, going on in my teen years and it couldn't have been a better time for me to be introduced to this club. I believe Karin Hilton & Mary Moore are who I have to thank for it.

summer of 1979  me front & center

Young Life was amazing. Here several high schools kids from our school, with different backgrounds gathered, sang, played skits, and learned more about the love of Christ. As students we took turns hosting club. I started coming my Junior year, but it was my Senior year, when Richie came with me, that I have the best memories. Also, camp. Oh my goodness, throw me on a bus headed for Colorado Springs, Colorado, teach me to hike, repel down a mountain, go river rafting down the Arkansas River... and top it off with studying of Gods love & His joy in our growth... oh yes.. It was love♥

I also was Blessed to be able to give back as a Volunteer Leader for two years. (Got me back to camp a couple more times♥)

The years with Richie coming with me, we would go weekly, and had a blast. We loved Young Life. When the evening was over, Rich & I repeated our favorite tunes of the evening, rather loudly and off key, barreling down the road to home. We were terrible & we didn't care. We had songs in our heart & sang them out to the Lord.  These songs were so different than the hymns we were use to in our more traditional churches. They were funny..creative.. and modern.

Richie & I also were Youth leaders together for summer camp in Colorado one year.

Summer of '81 or '82

This trip still makes us crack up. From the ghetto inner city kids that we "supervised", one "little girl" telling me..."don't make me havta cut you up!" to the strange young man that developed an uncomfortable "crush" on Rich. Shin splints...Stomach virus... oh yeah, and on the bus ride home, not even 100 miles into the ride, our bus lost a wheel, nearly crashing off a cliff and causing us to spend one more evening with our campers in a makeshift older campsite. Oh yes...Rich & I still can laugh about that trip. May have been why Richie only was a leader one year?

Derek, Me, forgotten leader, & Richie

Derek Wallace was our leader, and my mentor, into becoming a leader. I have lost touch with this wonderful man. When I knew him, he & his wife, were busy with their adorable triplets. Derek had this great accent as he was from South Africa. He was an amazing story teller and involved his audience in every story. He always had a smile. He gave so much to us all. He helped me tremendously grow spiritually.

I know that Young Life has continued over the years. I had hoped that me daughters would actively become interested in this youth group. But the chapter available to them did not have the same atmosphere and charisma. 

Click this link: young life to learn more about it.

On Another Book Run!

I am in love with another Author!

I just finished my first novel by Francine Rivers. 

I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!! Oh my Gosh! It has been so long since an author captivated me like this. I felt her characters joy and sorrow. I read through 30 years of a family's saga at the turn of the twentieth century. It begins in Switzerland, and journeys us through Europe, Canada and America.

I am going to the library tomorrow to pick up my second novel from Ms. Rivers. This one actually came out prior to "Her Mother's Hope", but I am getting these from the library and I am not the only person loving her writings. I am also waiting for the second part of the two part series Marta's Legacy (1st being "Her Mother's Hope"). titled "Her Daughter's Dream".  These from Marta's Legacy is based off Francine's Grandmother & Mother relationship. OH MY GOSH! So I find out today, after finishing 483 pages.. this is based on true facts! No wonder I felt this wonderful kinship. 

Francine Rivers has been a successful writer for 30 years. In 1986 she became a born-again Christian and wrote Redeeming Love as a statement of her faith. (I can't wait to start it! it's based on retelling the biblical story of Gomer & Hosea, set during the gold rush of California. It has held a spot on the Christian Best Seller List for nearly a decade.)

My cousin, Shari, just recommended I should read Karen Kingsbury too. Anxious to try her out as well. The way, Shari talked about her, I think I will be just as mesmerised!

Oh what joy! I was in such a Book rut, and I am tickled pink to find something I really like again ☻

Amazing Grace

Lucious Newson passed away August 18th. He was 93 years young. Although I never officially meet him, I heard him speak, I participated in his quest and I shook his hand while thanking him for all he does.

I admired him and looked up to him more than anyone I have ever met or knew of. This was the most selfless loving man that made his life mission in helping others. He became my hero.

A few years ago, we visited Nativity Catholic Church. There this old black man with bib overalls, kindof stuck out among the other members. There was something about him that mesmerized me. He was so full of faith. He was almost glowing. He was introduced by the priest at the end of the sermon. Lucious wanted to show his appreciate for the Church’s help in feeding the poor. He sang “Amazing Grace”. I have heard this song a million times, but never as beautifully as this old man sang it. He sang acappella, no music other than his voice. I cried.

Lucious had made it his mission to feed the poor. He was known as “the Lord’s beggar for the poor”. He helped establish “Anna’s House”, a clinic & learning center that offers food, dental care, medical help & services for people in need.

For the past twenty years he has been assisting Indianapolis’ poor, feeding them and teaching those of us more fortunate how to treat the poor. His heart was very big. He was the most generous of all. Lucious had said, “I go to bed so thankful that God gave me this job. I’m just thankful I can serve Him, & that He can use an old guy like me. I live by faith. I’m going to keep doing this until God calls me to heaven.”

He was truly a wonderful Christian man. His work will continue through the lives he touched.

Etiquette Lives On

We recently went to this charming couple's wedding. I have known the bride Brittany her whole life and I am so happy she found Grant. I have never been to a more beautiful wedding. They were focused on God's love and kept that the main focus of their vows.

The wedding was simple and elegant. The reception was also. Everything was very beautiful and felt right. Brittany & Grant were surrounded by family and friends and everyone was so happy.

They have a wonderful opportunity to have long and happy marriage. I pray that my daughters will one day find this same kind of love. Brittany has always been such a strong role model for my daughters. We will always love her dearly. Now, we will love her handsome husband, Grant as well.

Today I got this Thank You in the mail. I was so impressed. It was very personal. Brit handmade them and I love that she included the photo. Emily Post would be very pleased! Brittany's Momma taught her well.

Christian Catholic

I was raised a Christian. Baptized in the Methodist Church, switched to the Presbyterian Church as a teen. Settling in the Catholic Church when I decided to marry a Catholic Man. I gave poor Father Harry Keneven, a tough time with questions and wanted to know exactly what I was getting into when I became a Catholic. He taught me well, and I appreciate his patience with me. I think I have "done him proud". It is said that those who join the Catholic Church as an adult have a better understanding and a sometimes stronger grasp on our religion. Some say we make better Catholics. i don't buy it. Religion is what you make of it. You should be with your faith because you believe in it and you are it.

I have always been active with my church. sometimes more often than other times but I love my church and it makes me feel more a part when I am actively involved. I taught Continuing Catholic Education one year, that was interesting. My favorite memories are the ones that I was a Confirmation Leader. I had the most awesome kids ever! All three years. And I still love every one of them and pray for each of them too. I wanted each to walk away after our year of discovery and growth in the church and wanted them to make their own decisions. Be a Catholic because it is who they are & what they believe, not because ..they had to. We succeed. And I truly feel that each of them left me with a greater love of the church.

I am currently perplexed with someone I love deeply as she is struggling with her beliefs. She has always been one of the strongest Christians I know, and now she is doubting her belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. She tells me she believes in God, just not sure anymore about Christianity. I am blown away! I want to shake her! I want to say the right things and help her through this challenging time. I don't want to say the wrong things and push her further. I pray for her even stronger today as I try to find the right words and hope that by example to show her the love of our Lord. I need help in knowing how to guide her.

I shared with her this quote my Emily gave me from C.S. Lewis:
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."