Standing outside yesterday afternoon, barefoot, hanging sweetly-scented laundry in the cool breeze, I felt rejuvenated as I haven’t in such a long time. The winter gloom that had slowly crept into my soul is being dispelled by the promise of spring. And while my heart yearns for joy, I try to keep in my mind this: there can be no Easter Alleluia without Good Friday’s Suffering…
My “small successes” seem very, very small this week, and yet, as I struggle towards restoring order to home and hearth, these “little things” mean more than ever!
1. My schedule is coming together. I pray God will grant me the spirit of perseverance to stick to it and restore the order that I’d worked so hard to cultivate over a quarter century of housewifery and homemaking. It’s amazing how much last years trials and traumas took me down. It’s long past time to dust off and reclaim the title “heart of the home…”
2. Spent the afternoon of St. Patrick’s Day enjoying the glories of nature with my husband and children. Fresh air and sunshine are good for the body and the soul!
3. Created our very first St. Joseph’s Table…it’s still under construction, as we will be baking a few goodies to place at the foot of the “steps to heaven…”
Here it is:
Share your Small Success at Faith and Family Live!
Blessings,
I am a traditional Catholic homeschooling mother of 9 children, married for 30 years to the most patient and sainted man. As converts to Catholicism in 1991, our family has only recently discovered the beauty and full expression of our beliefs in the timeless liturgy of antiquity, the Extraordinary Form also commonly referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass. An avid knitter, I also enjoy gardening, reading and immersing myself in the everyday graces of my vocation.
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Catholic Family Vignettes 
March 19, 2009 at 9:59 am
I loved your intro to your successes. Thank you for the reminder of the meaning behind Easter joy.
Your St. Joseph’s table is beautiful.
Blessings.
March 19, 2009 at 11:04 am
I’m so glad to hear your schedule is coming together.
The pictures of your St. Patrick’s Day fun were wonderful!
I love your St. Joseph’s table. It really looks lovely!
Blessings,
~Kathy
March 19, 2009 at 4:22 pm
i love this. you have really encouraged me today as i sit amidst boxes of stuff-liturgical, holiday, etc. and wonder-is there an end in sight. but perhaps i need to go outdoors for a bit today. after all the orange blossoms are blooming and they smell so yummy.
restoring order-that seems to be constantly in the works! but thanks for all of your uplifting posts today. God bless you.
and i adore your st. joseph’s table.
March 19, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Thank you, ladies. May you receive every blessing this fine St. Joseph’s Day!
March 19, 2009 at 5:07 pm
What a beautiful St. Joseph’s table! I agree – even the slight scent of spring in the air does wonders to lift one’s spirits!
March 19, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Your St. Joseph’s table is beautiful! I had never heard of that tradition before. I will have to remember it for next year. Happy Feast Day!
March 19, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Thanks for checking my blog. Have enjoyed yours. I am deeply humbled by your story with taking in your grandmother. I wiped tears away! Gosh, and I was feeling sorry for myself.
We have chickens, too. And I was wondering about kestrels, too. He sure does a lot of chicken watching. I don’t think he can take them on.
I hope you post your schedule. I am drowning in housework. Today I wondered so earnestly how we are supposed to continue this homeschooling vocation when accomplishing it all is impossible. I made a list of everything I need to do and nothing could be eliminated. How do we not lose heart? I’m definately coming back to your blog frequently. Sorry I rambled!
March 20, 2009 at 8:33 am
Sarah:
Every mom I know is suffering in some way, suffering with feeling inadequate to this great task, this vocation to love, nurture and educate our young ones at home. I know that order is key…but we can struggle so much as we try to balance it all. I think the key is surrender, surrendering our will…
If God has called us to this task, He will surely equip us to complete it! I think I’m not listening well to His promptings. Oftentimes, what is a priority to me, is not what is needed most. Turning towards the Cross first, the needs of our spouse and children second, then the requirements of caring for our home and last, all of those things that fall outside of home and hearth…I think that’s the key. At least, that’s what worked for me in the past. So I’m heading back in that direction, but a road map is necessary. Hence the schedule. I promise to post it, once I’ve “tweaked” it!