Happy Almost Advent! What a beautiful time of the year! One can’t help getting into the Christmas….I mean Advent, spirit, can one? Some chatty things….
I thought you’d like this one. Our little granddaughter, Nini (Sienna) is 4 and is very observant and articulate. This is the text I got from her mom, Theresa:
Nini: Can I have an orange?
Me (Mom): No.
Nini: But, Mom, this is Oranging Day, cuz that guy won (Donald Trump), to lead us in our country!
Haha! Smart Kid. It’s worth a try…..
Father gave a sermon this Sunday about Advent. It was very good…the kind that just sticks.
Do you remember 2010 and the Chilean Mining Accident? Thirty-three men were in a collapsed mine, 2300 ft. underground and 3 miles from the entrance to the cave! And they were there for 69 days!! Frightening!!
How they must have longed for the light! How they must have longed to be rescued! I really can’t imagine.
President of Chile visiting the miners at the hospital after they were rescued:
Father then compared that longing to the longing of men before Christ’s coming. How they longed for the light and to be rescued!
We, too, must stir up a longing for the Christ Child at Christmas through our Advent preparations and sacrifices, whatever they may be. The more we put into Advent, the more will be the fulfilling of our heart at Christmas by Him who loves us so much!
Then Father talked about the Blue Ox in the story of the very big lumberjack, Paul Bunyan. Father is from Minnesota and that is where the story originated.
The Blue Ox was so big that you could tie the end of a road onto his neck and he would pull and pull, until it straightened right out…so they say. 😀
(Father is very smart to tell these stories because that’s the glue that makes the sermon stick.)
Anyway, he went on to ask what windy roads we have between God and ourselves? What is it in our life that makes it hard to get to God and for Him to get to us? What vices, addictions, attachments and other things are in the way of giving our lives to Him?
Whatever it is, we need to work on them, pray about them, go to confession….make those winding, hard-to-travel roads straight again! It is a must if we are to grow in virtue and love of God!
Great meditations!
These are our granddaughters Emma and Sienna. As you can see, it starts young….after many minutes in the bathroom they emerge…ready for town!
Some good games of Life and Cribbage going on!
Rosie and Magdalene:
Each day is a chance to grow in virtue and it begins with the little things. Show your husband you care….listen to him, smile at him, give him a hug when he doesn’t expect it. Your children are watching and courtesy and love are contagious! This Advent can be special…. it starts with you!
Visit my Meadows of Grace Shoppe to browse through these truly lovely Kanzashi Ribbon Flowers made by my daughters, Virginia and Jeanette! What great Christmas gifts for that special someone!
Intricate and Classy Hand-Crafted Kanzashi Accessory Flower.. Hair, Scarf, Collar, etc…. This fetching ribbon flower is a perfect accent to any special outfit and provides a sweet final touch!
Each petal takes undivided attention! First, it is cut and shaped, then burnt to ensure there will be no fraying. The petals are then folded and glued into a flower design and the finishing touches are then added.
The back of the flower has a clip that easily opens and holds firmly.
Ribbon flowers are an excellent alternative to real flowers and will look fresh and beautiful forever!
Those are very interesting thoughts for Advent, it is hard not to see the animated Blue Ox pulling that river back into place after that story. :):)
That is a gorgeous set and that Advent/Christmas book is very good…..was re-reading mine on Sunday, lots of great ideas and meditations.
Thank you!
That is quite a lovely set. And your family photos are wonderful, as always.
Thank you for your beautiful blog. I recently discovered it and have enjoyed exploring it. It has been a great encouragement in my life so far and I have been sharing many articles with family members. Thank you!
Lovely post! I so enjoy reading such encouragement!
Beautiful!
Thank you for all of your wonderful articles!
Father’s sermon reminds me of the prophesy of the Valleys & Mountains … bringing low what needs to be brought low ..and raising up what needs to be brought up. Thanks for sharing — it’ll give me a new way to encourage myself & my children this Advent. Beautiful handiwork – what a blessing!
Those were great stories from Fr’s sermon. And such wonderful family photos. I find your posts very inspiring! Thank you!
As always, love your posts! Thank you for the opportunity!
Thank you so very much for sharing such wonderful stories & most lovely pics of your growing family. A very blessed Advent to you.
I love your articles!
Beautiful prizes!
Your posts are a great encouragement to me and my family! God bless you this Advent season.
Those are such lovely things. I love seeing pictures of your home and family. I do wish sometimes I could sit at your table and chat over tea. I miss you all.
Thank you for the post!! Advent is such a beautiful preparation time for Christmas and helps us put the importance where it should be! Thank you for the drawing opportunity! God bless.
Thanks for the time and effort put into your blog, mum!
I really enjoy your writing…I find your family so inspiring! Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
Being from Minnesota I really liked the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox story that Father told! I love your blog and find it so inspirational and refreshing.
Hello! I like all the photos of your family. We need to see more of you though!
God bless.
That art is very impressive and the ‘children’ here simply could not do it.
Oh my goodness I posted my comments in the wrong place so I here I go again…I’ve really enjoyed your last few advent themed postings. Especially the one detailing your tradition of constructing the nativity scene with your children little by little….I’m adopting it! Thanks for all your encouragement. So glad to have come across your blog.
Ooh, the red bracelet is so beautiful!
I’m enjoying doing more Advent things this year as our children are finally getting old enough for more than just praying around the wreath. We made a manger for Baby Jesus that they can put straws in when they do good deeds, and we’re also doing the Nativity scene poster. We got a great Advent sermon, too, last Sunday, which helped fire me up. It’s such a wonderful season!
Thank you, as always!
Your articles and fotos touch me to tears often as this one too, thank you very much for the great blog you write.
And such a wounderful give-away… 🙂
I have been really enjoying your website and posts! May God Bless you, and Our Lady keep you!
I love reading your posts daily they mean so much to me!!! God Bless you always!!!!
Lovely!!
Fr’s sermon was very good, at least what you wrote about it. Good reflections for the beginning of Advent. The tid bits are always so nice to read and your pictures also. The Flower creations are lovely.
We love your beautiful handmade things, they are such good quality!
Are Emma, Sienna or Magdalene included in the ‘giveaway’? They sure are cute! : ) Thanks Leane for your insightful and (always) timely postings. Wishing you a blessed Advent followed by a joyous Christmas!
That’s hilarious what your little granddaughter said! She seems like a smart one, and she tried so hard! Haha
Beautiful bracelet and flower headpiece. 🙂
I’m so enjoying your beautiful blog. It’s a respite from a world that is so lacking in grace and beauty. May God bless your work here.
So gorgeous!🙂
Love it!
Very beautiful! I love your home made items! 🙂
Blessed Advent to you and your precious family. Your articles help my faith grow, give me hope, and inspire me to act more charitably. I love reading about your family’s Advent traditions and seeing companion photos. I feel like I am transported into the family pictures/activities and welcomed as your guest.
Love, love, love all your posts… so inspirational and informative! God Bless you for sharing.
Thank you for your posts! They are such a blessing that appears at just the right moment. The flowers, rosaries and jewelry you and your family makes are very lovely. Thank you for the chance! A blessed Advent to you all!
It has been a blessing finding your blog! It has helped me grow deeper in my faith and to strive to be a more virtuous wife and mother!