The Serenity prayer taught by dad today.../Transfiguration feast/A lamp shining in a dark place

 It's real!!  My dad is home!!!  He watched mass with my mother this morning, and is happy to be back home!

His homecare nurse came today and reassured dad that home is the best place for him, and that he is clear of mind and doing his cares "like normal".  Mom and I are both so happy to have him here with us and he with us!  Thank you, Lord!

 I sat close by while dad did his morning cares - shaving and personal hygiene.  When his cochlear implant is out he cannot hear, but as soon as he put it back in he shared that doing his cares felt "like normal".  Yes, he and mom need someone around for meals and cares, but it is a happy chore for me!

How I prayed all day yesterday as a nursing home placement was being worked on for dad.. I was so surprised by my sister's phone call midafternoon to tell me that dad had not found a placement even though he was ready to be discharged.  It was the nudge I needed to tell her that I was going to bring him home and see how he was doing with my own eyes!

A very nice MOW brought to the door for us!  There will be more people coming in to assess and help dad out.

Home again!

This morning I had the joy of dad teaching us some very special lessons as we face these uncertain times of getting back on their feet and needing more help in the meantime.  He brought up the Serenity prayer which he used a lot in his work with alcoholics...
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. 

Dad's point was that he is now home and that is truly where he is most comfortable and happy, but there are some things pulling at him in other directions so we must accept the things that come to us, change those things we can, and the wisdom to know which is which.  He than launched into a beautiful sharing by St John Vianney on death coming to those close to the Lord, like my dad, who at that time was feeling that death was close.  Mom and I were both in tears.

The 3 of us watching Antiques Roadshow last night... cherishing time with both my parents in their own home as much as possible.

Very powerful to find that today is the Feast of the Transfiguration!  The readings were out of this world... literally!   Daniel 7 where the Son of God takes his throne.."The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed." 

Missing my hubby... 2 year old Joy loves him so much!  Mom was sharing that her grandpa on the farm was not very loving at all to the little ones.  Hard to imagine for me!

The second reading from 2 Peter 1
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
"This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven

while we were with him on the holy mountain...

as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

Jesus, you are alight in us!  May we share your light with all around us most especially with those the closest to us in our domestic church/family.  May we die to self so that your LIGHT may shine forth and cast out the darkness of sin and death.  May your culture of LIFE pour forth and may new LIFE fill our world and protected and cherished no matter the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

The 3 baby boys a month ago and now they are rolling, getting their first teeth, and finding their toes to suck on.  I am awaiting them sitting up together and smiling at grandma.  Fake plans for that dream to come true at Christmas.  Hear my prayer, Lord.  Bless-bless, Barb

Danielle Rose - Small things with great love

Danielle Rose - The Saint that is just me