Here is a link to Rachel's site.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rachelspanbauer
God Bless!
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
"It doesn't matter..."
I was blessed to learn a life lesson two days ago.
I was walking in the hallway after school and I came upon Rachel and her sister. Rachel is a beautiful young lady at our school who has been undergoing chemo for several months now. She is the child that I have asked you to pray for in previous posts...by the way...please, please continue all of those prayers. Okay, back to the story.
Rachel's sister was holding a small white box in her hands and was vividly angry. She was looking into the box and uttering words of anger to herself. I walked up and asked what in the world was bothering her so much. She showed me the white box and told me that she was angry because someone had deliberately broken all of the clay pieces that Rachel had made for her game board that was on display in the hallway.
All this time, Rachel was standing across the hall by her locker. She wasn't extremely bothered by the fact that her little clay tokens were demolished. In fact, when I questioned her as to whether she had shared this information with her teacher, she just shrugged her shoulders and smiled and simply said, "No."
I watched as her sister carefully hid the little white box with all of the broken pieces behind another game board on display. She didn't want anything else to happen to those tokens.
I walked back to my room, feeling just as angry inside as Rachel's sister had been. The name of the child that had crushed those pieces had been revealed and I immediately began to make a mental note to address the situation first thing the next morning.
About ten minutes passed and Rachel's mom came into my room to deliver some flowers she had been working on for one of our fundraisers. I jumped up from my chair and told her what had just happened.
Now I need to tell you that her response was completely unexpected. In fact, if I would have tried to consider all of the responses that could have been possible, I would not have even thought of her actual response. Here this beautiful woman has seen her child through so much since diagnosed last August...this strong faithfilled mom has walked a walk that none of us would ever want to think about...and do you know what she did?
She smiled at me.
She smiled at me and as I looked at her surprised and a bit confused she added,
"It doesn't matter."
It doesn't matter...
"What?" I asked, "Her clay pieces were crushed on purpose!"
Again, she smiled and repeated those three words. "It doesn't matter..." And then she added...
"She can make them again."
Oh my beautiful loving Father. I love You.
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
I was walking in the hallway after school and I came upon Rachel and her sister. Rachel is a beautiful young lady at our school who has been undergoing chemo for several months now. She is the child that I have asked you to pray for in previous posts...by the way...please, please continue all of those prayers. Okay, back to the story.
Rachel's sister was holding a small white box in her hands and was vividly angry. She was looking into the box and uttering words of anger to herself. I walked up and asked what in the world was bothering her so much. She showed me the white box and told me that she was angry because someone had deliberately broken all of the clay pieces that Rachel had made for her game board that was on display in the hallway.
All this time, Rachel was standing across the hall by her locker. She wasn't extremely bothered by the fact that her little clay tokens were demolished. In fact, when I questioned her as to whether she had shared this information with her teacher, she just shrugged her shoulders and smiled and simply said, "No."
I watched as her sister carefully hid the little white box with all of the broken pieces behind another game board on display. She didn't want anything else to happen to those tokens.
I walked back to my room, feeling just as angry inside as Rachel's sister had been. The name of the child that had crushed those pieces had been revealed and I immediately began to make a mental note to address the situation first thing the next morning.
About ten minutes passed and Rachel's mom came into my room to deliver some flowers she had been working on for one of our fundraisers. I jumped up from my chair and told her what had just happened.
Now I need to tell you that her response was completely unexpected. In fact, if I would have tried to consider all of the responses that could have been possible, I would not have even thought of her actual response. Here this beautiful woman has seen her child through so much since diagnosed last August...this strong faithfilled mom has walked a walk that none of us would ever want to think about...and do you know what she did?
She smiled at me.
She smiled at me and as I looked at her surprised and a bit confused she added,
"It doesn't matter."
It doesn't matter...
"What?" I asked, "Her clay pieces were crushed on purpose!"
Again, she smiled and repeated those three words. "It doesn't matter..." And then she added...
"She can make them again."
Oh my beautiful loving Father. I love You.
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Learning Lessons Everyday
Has it ever happened to you where everything is going pretty well...I mean the days have been going by smoothly, no huge obstacles or complications...your life is continuing day by day and then something happens, something so obviously different than what you are used to experiencing that all of a sudden you are placed in a situation where you are forced to really contemplate..."What in the world just happened???? What is God asking of me?"
Okay, okay...I can just hear some of you saying...whoa, Mary...what are you trying to say?
Well, just think about this for a minute...
If we truly want to live our lives for Christ, we shouldn't be shocked when we find ourselves in situations that stretch us outside of our comfort zones. Situations that make us feel a bit uneasy at first. Situations that normally we would try to avoid altogether.
Placing your trust in Him means allowing His Will to be done in your life. That is not always the easiest path to take. It is easy to say...not easy to do.
Taking a stand for what you believe in isn't always the thing that fits into society's norms. It takes courage and strength to be Christ to everyone you meet. To love as Christ loved and to serve as Christ served.
Sometimes it is so very difficult.
Sometimes it would be easier to walk away from a situation that leaves you uneasy, angry, or disappointed.
As I reflect on times like these, I always conclude that these situations have led me to a deeper relationship with Him. My little lessons in life have led me to where He wants me to be.
And...each situation seems to leave me better able to handle the next. :)
Peace,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A Beautiful, beautiful day!
Oh my! The sun was shining today and Wisconsin reached almost 50 degrees. I walked out of the front door and a cardinal's song greeted me. Our daughters were outside playing in the snow and they had to keep changing mittens because they would become soaking wet. They are anxious and ready for a change in weather.
I am off to a roaring game of Bananagrams with the kids. If you have never heard of the game before, it is a word game that is quicker to play than Scrabble and there are no points to score. It is quite an addictive game. If you try to find it at the store it is in a fabric zippered case, shaped like a banana. It's worth a try...
Have a peaceful evening,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
I am off to a roaring game of Bananagrams with the kids. If you have never heard of the game before, it is a word game that is quicker to play than Scrabble and there are no points to score. It is quite an addictive game. If you try to find it at the store it is in a fabric zippered case, shaped like a banana. It's worth a try...
Have a peaceful evening,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
St. Anthony the Abbot
I have been chosen by St. Anthony the Abbot! He will be my patron Saint for 2009. I am so interested to find out all about him and his life and how he devoted himself to our Lord. If you would like to find out which Saint chooses you for this year, check out www.yourpatronsaint.blogspot.com I remember reading that St. Faustina and her order would pick Saints on the first of the year. I think they were chosen by picking out of a hat, but I would have to reread that part. Anyway, if you email at the site, she will send you the name of a Saint that was chosen just for you. :) I'll post more about that at a later time...
Today at Mass I walked back to our pew after receiving our Lord and as I was kneeling I had this feeling of completeness. (hope the spelling is right...not sure how else to explain the feeling!) Physically, I felt our three year old climbing over the back of my calves but I just wanted to stay in my quietness and prayer. Not sure how to explain. Not even sure that I understand. I just wanted to stay right there, right where I was...just in silence with Him.
How wonderful He is!
Well, I'm off to lesson plans for the week. The children worked on reports about saints that were instrumental in Catholic education last week and they'll be finishing them on Monday and Tuesday. ...still need to plan social studies... :)
I have a movie to recommend...this weekend my family watched Bernadette starring Sidney Perry. I thought it was wonderful! My oldest was back from college and asked me about her connection to Lourdes...(She attended Our Lady of Lourdes H.S.). LOVE conversations like that...oh yeah!
Peace to you,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Today at Mass I walked back to our pew after receiving our Lord and as I was kneeling I had this feeling of completeness. (hope the spelling is right...not sure how else to explain the feeling!) Physically, I felt our three year old climbing over the back of my calves but I just wanted to stay in my quietness and prayer. Not sure how to explain. Not even sure that I understand. I just wanted to stay right there, right where I was...just in silence with Him.
How wonderful He is!
Well, I'm off to lesson plans for the week. The children worked on reports about saints that were instrumental in Catholic education last week and they'll be finishing them on Monday and Tuesday. ...still need to plan social studies... :)
I have a movie to recommend...this weekend my family watched Bernadette starring Sidney Perry. I thought it was wonderful! My oldest was back from college and asked me about her connection to Lourdes...(She attended Our Lady of Lourdes H.S.). LOVE conversations like that...oh yeah!
Peace to you,
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
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