Snow/Ice Delay

We're still here in Kieler. Guess it could be worse we could be stuck in the airport with an 8 mo. old. As long as there are no other nasty ice/snow storms tonight we'll fly out tomorrow morning bright and early.

Advent color change...

Oh and I changed my colors to go with Advent...I'm not sure I like it, what do you think?

Let it snow...as long as we can catch our plane.

While the weather may try to foil our plans with the current forecast of snow and freezing rain I still have hope that our flight will take off early tomorrow morning...and if delayed well then later tomorrow, God willing!

We will be traveling to Mesa, Arizona for a week of relaxation. I will have access to computers, camera and internet but I am not making any promises that I'll post in the coming week. I want to revel in time with family and spend some days delightfully out of the cold.

My parents' gift to us this Christmas was a trip south to stay at Monte Vista Resort. My Grandpa and Grandma Harris were snowbirds and had a trailer there that our family has kept. It is a nice spot to get away. So the whole Harris crew will be in tow (that's now 7 adults and three kids) and spend a week together in one little trailer. Along with that part of the adventure, this trip includes some hiking plans (Superstition Pass), taking in a Vikings loss in Phoenix , a matinée of Twilight [for the ladies, while the guys have the kids] and sometime around the pool. Stay tuned for more on our first FAMILY vacation.

And stay warm Wisconsinites! ;-)

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

December 6th is the day the Church celebrates the life of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra. He is the patron saint of sailors and probably more obviously children. This memorial is one we've celebrated since I was little receiving gifts in our stockings. Today was no different.

The Catholic tradition of honoring the lives of Saints is sometimes misunderstood. A saint according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is the "holy one" who leads a life in union with God through the grace of Christ and receives the reward of eternal life. The Church is called the communion of saints, of the holy ones. You can see in this definition that there are two distinct uses then for the term saint. Those as members of the Church, faithful holy ones. And those that the Church calls canonized [this is really a fancy word for being on the list] saints. These deceased men and women have been declared by the Church as a proposed model and intercessor to the Christian faithful. They are given the title saint based on the fact that the person lived a life of heroic virtue or remained faithful to God through martyrdom.

Basically, the Church is willing to say that there are certain people that are with God in Heaven. This doesn't happen instantly or without trial [literally- each candidate for sainthood is put on trial and their holiness must be proven]. And that is not to say that there are certainly many other beloved dead that are saints that perhaps will never be declared worldwide but nonetheless are models of faith and great intercessors. However, we Christians can certainly use models of faith to aid us in our lives and certainly are in need of all the prayer we can get.

The saints in heaven are not dead. Jesus said, "Have you not read 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead but of the living." Mt. 22:31-32 Those who die in Christ are now alive in Christ in Heaven. [Related verses: Mk 9:4, Lk 23:43, Rev. 6:9-11, I Cor. 12:12-27; Heb. 12:1, 12:22-24] This is why we ask for the prayers of the saints. In the same way we would ask any brother or sister in Christ to pray for us.


May we be inspired by the example of St. Nicholas and All Saints. May we learn to proclaim what they believed and put their teaching into action. St. Nicholas, pray for us!

Of Babes, Bible Studies and Bonding

Since becoming a mom my life is now viewed through a different lens. Nothing seems untouched by this new perspective least of all my spiritual life.

Recently, I joined the 'church ladies' from our parish in a Bible study and prayer group. It has been rejuvenating for me to stretch those theology legs again after a brief reprieve. It has struck me though that my understanding of Scripture, the Mass and other parts of the faith may not have changed but I HAVE. And now, when reading from God's Word know a bit more of that LOVE that the Father has for His children. And the ache He must have at their disobedience for His is the love of a parent who only desires the best for His children. Not only that but I look at that little nursing babe in our life and the words "this is my body given up for you" take on a personal ring. I am able to unite my work, my sacrifices, my life with Christ in the Mass and offer it to God. [Certainly this is the ideal I strive for though not alway attainable when Kate decides to fill her diaper, onesie, pants and socks during this middle of the Mass. This has become some what of a daily Mass trend. On the bright side, she's regular!] Not to mention the infancy narratives we will be meditating on this Advent and Christmas. These insights have not only brought me closer to our Lord but to our little one as well. I hope and pray she one day will be able to see the beauty of the Scripture and the Mass and know Christ so intimately!

A Hunting We Will Go (or went is more like it)

Katie and I headed north for Hunting Season '08. We spent 9 days at my folks place enjoying the company of Grandpa, Grandma Ann, Gramma Helen, Uncle Tom, Aunt Trina, Uncle John and of course the cousins. As well as extended family and hunting buddies. We ate well, played games, napped and of course went out to hunt the ever evasive big buck. Though the year held 'no deer for Angie' it was still time well spent. Below you'll see we took the kids out to make a play at Lake 19. Moved at least 3 deer that morning though no shots were fired. Both Kaylee and Kate took brief naps during the play but were awake for much of the tromping through the woods. Better luck next year!

A Post to about the lack of posts...

I'm working on some great material here folks...
I have a camera full of pictures and all sorts of things brewing in the brain. The problem is I have a clingy 7 mo. old, who's teething and who's mother is her only source of consolation. I also have a busy husband who works and I only get a few evening to spend with him sans homework, fireman's meeting or him going to sleep early. Oh, I know excuses, excuses...

So, my dear readers...if all goes well, I will post again tomorrow and I promise more posts to follow with much to ponder and pics to boot.