~ pretty, happy, funny, real ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

 

 

I saw these {pretty} Station of the Cross Candles over at JOYfilled Family...

 

I thought they would be perfect to use for our Lenten Devotions; and since I had some {pretty} votive candles left over from our

CANDELORA Dinner, I decided to set Little Lamb to play work...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I assured Little Lamb that they would dry clear...

 

 

I placed them on mirrors...which really gives them a {pretty] amazing illumination,

adding to our LIVING LENT, LOVING LENT experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{happy}

 

 

This was one {happy} little girl!!

The Symphony can do that to a person, you know!?

 

We went with a group of our Home School friends...that can, also, make one {happy}.

A great time was had by all!

 

{funny}

 

Upon first glance, this looks like just a sweet little pup, legs crossed real "lady-like" peacefully at rest...

But with closer observation,

sharp, pointy teeth.  This is not a smile.

you will see that disturbing her or disturbing what she has in the clutches of her teeth, would not be wise! 

Not {funny}.

 

 

{real}

 

Instructions before the Holy Mass

 

This is {real}.  Conductor has loved to serve the Mass ever since he could walk...and officially when he was about 7 years old.  He loves to teach other boys to serve with reverence and attentiveness.   It comes from his heart.  It is {real}.

 

He serves both at our parish and as an Episcopal Server...

Serving the Archbishop at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during Lent

Praying that you are finding peace and love...this Lent.

 

 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

~ 2nd Sunday in Advent ~

We light the 2nd candle...

This Sunday my son served as Episcopal Server for the Archbishop...so we attended Mass over at our Cathedral.

They have a beautiful shrine on display which they made for the patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe.  She's so lovely and the roses surrounding her were so vivid.  Her feast day is tomorrow, December 12.

I tried to take a picture from the other side of the nave (discreetly) with my phone...this is what I captured:  (wish I had a better camera, and that I had been closer - oh well.)

We arrived early, so we had the opportunity to listen to the choir warm their voices...absolutely glorious.

The Offertory Antiphon really raised one's thoughts heavenwards.
They chanted Deus tu convertens

(You will turn toward us, O God,)

This Advent Season, I am hoping to really focus on preparing my stubborn heart to receive the Infant Child, with a pure and clean heart instead of this heart of mine. 

Nativity of my childhood

My mother gave me the above nativity.  As a child, I would *play* with it...sometimes to the point that the figures would come off.  lol.  My mom must have glued those figures on a hundred times and I think she even did touch up paint on some of them.   The moss that was on the roof is no longer lush...and Joseph's staff is missing.  I don't remember her ever scolding me.  I love this nativity.

I have to stop myself from scolding Little Lamb when she wants to touch this nativity...I want to preserve it, but I remember how I loved to imagine myself in this place - and touch it I did!  It obviously survived me (and probably a few of my other six siblings).

At our Parish Advent Retreat this week, the Retreat Master said, "You don't lose your patience; it's not gone - You just need to cultivate it"  I seriously need to cultivate my patience.  :o)

Entrance Hymn:

"Behold, O Zion, God will come to save the nations of the earth.  Your hearts will quicken at the sound of his majestic, glorious voice. "  ~ J.S. Bach