| Author | |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Dec 11 2013 at 5:42pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
~~~ waving hello to all reading! Stop by anytime to say Hi!
This will be short because today is unusually full. Because Dave works in mental health, he is always extra busy in December. I watch him carry the weight that others share with him. This month is full of suffering for so many.
First, there's the past. So many people suffer from memories... of things that were hard... or things that didn't happen.
Second, there is now. So many struggle with relationships, finances, on and on. People get overwhelmed with expectations.
So it is...
This month I will visit with people who are hurting...just to talk...or buy them a lunch. I'll listen to those close to me as well as perfect strangers who at any given moment may need someone to listen. Or a hug.
Our Christmas tree with purple lights remind me of the penitential...suffering aspect of Advent. And I'm praying for all who are suffering.
I'm also preparing...Devin and baby (due April) and Michael will be home next Monday. Can. Not. Wait. How lovely to prepare for the coming of my babies and baby Jesus 
There's some good stuff up at my Scoop.it page and my blog Family Answers Fast.
Do you suffer this month more so than others? Do those around you? How do you cope?
How is your Advent coming along?
Have a beautiful week 
Love
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: Dec 11 2013 at 7:03pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well my Advent is trying to patiently wait for our baby, only 1 week to go! And whislt I'm trying to walk with Mary and be spiritual, I do admit to sitting around moaning that I'm still here 
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: Dec 11 2013 at 8:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our Advent always begins with the most intense dance weekend of the year...it takes me a while to get back into Advent mode. We have a wreath, but nothing else, really. I need to get going on shopping, mailing, etc.
Our family (extended, too) has always made a special effort to be loving and caring during Advent and Christmas. We've seen a few (long past, now!) family celebrations descend into bickering, and that's no fun. Without ever discussing it, we've just tried harder at this time of year to get along and leave the past in the past. It usually works pretty well.
Our son comes home next Thursday!!! I can't wait.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: Dec 12 2013 at 9:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I like the idea of purple lights on the tree, Angie! Usually we cut our tree in the last week of Advent, but we were supposed to have a huge blizzard here so the boys went out early to bring the tree in.
Also, thanks for the reminder about the suffering that goes on during this holy season.
Praying for you, too, Erin! And for all the young adults and other family members traveling. Pray for my young adults as they travel, too  I will have my grown boys here, but my daughter and her husband of 7 months cannot come -- Christmas break is a busy time for him in his tech support work.  We will miss them -- Clare has never been away from home for Christmas before
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Dec 12 2013 at 9:57am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Willa wrote:
I like the idea of purple lights on the tree, Angie!
|
|
|
Giving all credit to Jodie for this winning suggestion! Living in the desert, I gave up on live trees...just too expensive, thin, dry dry dry. When we switched to artificial, we put the tree up on the first Sunday of Advent with purple lights and WOW... the simple elegance. Then on Christmas Eve we take off the purple lights and decorate the tree fully (which, interestingly, was my husband's family tradition)...ooo ahhhhh. Then...Christmas morning the tree looks completely new, fresh, lovely in the morning light!
So for the rest of my life I will think of Jodie when I put up our tree
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Servant2theKing
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 13 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1505
|
| Posted: Dec 12 2013 at 11:00am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Angie, thank you so much for your sensitivity toward those who suffer or struggle at this time of year!
After walking beside so many loved ones who suffered greatly or struggled during the holidays, I've tried to make a concerted effort to put in place family traditions that help us see beyond our human suffering ~ both for the sake of imparting hope to our children and also for the sake of alleviating the suffering of others through gifts of prayer and sacramental grace. Increasing our prayers for loved ones, living and deceased; having Masses said for dear ones who are still with us, as well as those who have gone before us; placing luminaries on family graves on Christmas ~ all help us focus on honoring & assisting those who struggle(d) in this life, reminding us always that our beloved Catholic Faith offers us powerful tools of grace to reach beyond the sufferings and struggles of this life.
Of course there will always be times when those who are hurting need to experience "God with skin on", so it's equally important to lend a listening, sympathetic ear; offer our heartfelt presence to those who are hurting; or lend concrete assistance, in whatever ways the Lord guides!
For those who live with this subject in a very personal way it can be especially important to remember two things:
~ There can be times when suffering loved ones need help beyond what we are humanly capable of offering. The best thing we can possibly do at such times is to guide them to those with a trained vocation for dealing with their particular suffering/struggle.
~ There may also be seasons in life when boundaries have to be set in order to protect our own families from those whose suffering/struggles spills over into unholy or unhealthy influences on others. Those are the times when prayer is the best and only gift we can offer. (Actually it's always the best gift! But YKWIM!)
With much love and many prayers for all those who struggle or suffer this time of year! May you be blessed with the same profound solace and immense grace that once radiated from a humble manger in Bethlehem and still pours out upon us in the Presence of Our Lord and Saviour, the entire Reason for this holy & blessed season!
__________________
All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Dec 12 2013 at 11:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My dh always seems to travel more for work this time of year. It is hard for him to miss out on so many of our traditions- lighting the Yule log each night, celebrating feast days, slowly putting up decorations.
So I am more mindful this time of year of families who are separated, especially for the dads who work long and hard for their families.
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: Dec 12 2013 at 6:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Angie Mc wrote:
So for the rest of my life I will think of Jodie when I put up our tree
, |
|
|
I will think of you and Jodie, Angie... I have purple lights in my Amazon basket right now 
I am moving towards a fake tree... but will probably wait till my kids are mostly grown... Which will give me time to get my husband used to the idea. 
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Dec 12 2013 at 6:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Willa wrote:
Angie Mc wrote:
So for the rest of my life I will think of Jodie when I put up our tree
, |
|
|
I will think of you and Jodie, Angie... I have purple lights in my Amazon basket right now
I am moving towards a fake tree... but will probably wait till my kids are mostly grown... Which will give me time to get my husband used to the idea. |
|
|
wow. I'm so glad you ladies like the idea.
You know Willa, my ILs always had a real tree.. and my MIL finally talked my FIL into a fake tree because they like to take some time and travel to warmer areas mid-winter (right after Christmas). She loves that she can just unplug the tree and it'll safely wait until they're home to be taken down. Instead of trying to take down the tree and pack up to be gone a number of weeks.
With my little guys being 2 and 3, I have a lot of years before my kids will be "mostly grown" during which they'll probably grow up loving to get the tree. And since we live where it's very financially feasible and the weather cooperates with holding the trees in dormancy so that we don't even need to keep them in water (they're frozen and can't take up any water).
I don't put up a tree with purple lights but I have put the purple lights along a high shelf that I like to decorate for Advent.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Dec 13 2013 at 2:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
How lovely, Willa and Jodie! I figured out that we got our artificial tree in 2010 so somewhere before that I was inspired! I'm looking at my tree right now and think this works so well for us - I get to enjoy my tree for a long time and in 3 different ways, purple for Advent, Christmas Eve decorating at night, Christmas morning SHOWTIME!
Erin, I'm praying for you and your baby with such JOY! Preparing for your baby and preparing for baby Jesus ❤
Nancy, you know I'm rooting for you all, even when I don't post. I'm just so proud of Martine! To continue as a competitive athlete at her age is so awesome PLUS she is a dancer! My boys don't need to be artistic too (although they do get pretty creative with their baseball handshakes  .)
Melinda, my heart is with you! Last year Dave was deployed to Newtown... so many blessings in being deeply grateful for our husband's presence. Also, I've learn, like you, about how to streamline and be content with what I *can* do instead of seeing all I *can't* do. This year, I'm cleaning "Christmas Traditions" house again - we're sticking with the few things that mean the most to everyone (not just me )
Servant, you are right on. Setting healthy boundaries is SO important. On one hand we need to be available, but on the other, we need to protect our joy, time, and family. I find this much easier now than when I was younger, which in part allows me to do more which...gets me back to those boundaries .
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Wednesday Shout Out: Suffering
