2019 Reading List Update: Book 2, Jesus the Bridegroom

 

Yes, it is another book by Mr. Brant Pitre-probably my favorite modern author. Once again, he breaks down layer after layer of the words and actions of Our Lord and what they truly meant from a Scriptural context and through the eyes of the Jews at that time. 

His writings have truly given me a deeper understanding which has bled into my spiritual life-especially when meditating. I cannot recommend him enough!

 

 

2019 Declutter Project 3: Kitchen Drawer and Bathroom Drawer

So, I added this storage piece that is more specifically made for cabinets but hey! It has really worked out well with adding more storage space and keeping things neat in the fridge.

2019 Declutter Project 2: Washroom Shelf and Kitchen Sink Cabinet

I organized under the kitchen sink

I made a place to hold some of my cleaning rags in the laundry area.

2019 Declutter Project 1: Kitchen Drawer and Bathroom Drawer

I forgot to take before/after pictures of these drawers but I did de-clutter and straighten them up in the new year and want to add them to my list!

2019 Reading List Update: Book 1, The First-Time Manager

This is a great book and relevant for all who interact with others often. One can take information from this book and utilize it if you are involved with any kind of management of people or situations even if you are not a manager. I am actually going to recommend this book to my boss and have him give it to the other managers in the department. 

The books delves into the very practical aspects of a manager but then discusses the human side of managing which can be utilized by anyone. 

First Monday of the Year!

Altar at Midnight Mass

Church: I have made a request for some changes at our chapel regarding prepping and cleaning up after various events. My cleaning group is set up to handle general cleaning but not too much more than that. We will see what happens....

Home: Trying to get back into the groove of my List of 32 world. This week is the week! 

Budget: I plan to work on my records three times this week.

Pro Life: Another week  at the abortion clinic- please keep up your prayers and sacrifices. We are starting another prayer, abstinence, and fasting campaign 1/7 through 2/8. Please consider joining in our crusade!

Dinner Making: The usual but I really want to test my InstantPot this week. Also, last week I made this bacon wrapped turkey breast baked in the oven while surrounded by onions and potatoes. It was stellar and I think I will need to make it again soon.

Work: I am starting a new work schedule this week so we will see how it goes and if it helps my work/home life balance. 

What's going on in your world?

Feast of the Epiphany

From Fisheaters

 

As described on the page on Twelfthnight, this Feast -- also known as the . "Theophany" or "Three Kings Day" -- recalls Christ revealing Himself as Divine in three different ways: to the Magi, at His Baptism, and with His miracle at the wedding feast at Cana.

For families who practice traditions involving "the Magi" or "La Befana" leaving gifts for children, the day begins with the wee ones discovering what was left for them while they slept on Twelfth Night.

At today's Mass, there will be a blessing of gold, frankincense, myrrh, Epiphany Water, and, after Communion, a blessing of chalk. Bring small special items of gold to have with you during the Mass, and they will be blessed if they are exposed as you sit in your pew with them (wedding rings, rosaries, an heirloom piece of gold jewelry, for example).

When Mass is over, you will take some of the blessed chalk, frankincense, myrrh, and Epiphany Water home with you, so it's good to bring a container to transport Holy Water and one to put some grains of incense and a piece of chalk into. (Note: if you can, take and keep 5 pieces of blessed incense for your Paschal Candle this Easter),

When you get home, sprinkle some Epiphany water (otherwise and afterwards used as regular Holy Water) in the rooms of your house to protect it and bring blessings. This Holy Water recalls the waters of the Jordan, and is a visible reminder of Christ's Divinity, of Jesus's revealing Himself as God at His Baptism, when were heard the words from the Father: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." This rite of blessing the home -- led by a priest, if possible, or the father of the house if no priest is available -- goes like this:

Upon entering the house:
Priest/Father:	Peace be to this house.
All:	And to all who dwell herein.
Priest:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
During the Magnificat, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed.
All:	My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And His Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our Fathers, Abraham and His seed forever.
After this is completed:
All:	From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
Priest:	Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and  forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead and lead us not into temptation,
All:	But deliver us from evil.
Priest:	All they from Saba shall come
All:	Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest:	O Lord, hear my prayer.
All:	And let my cry come unto Thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
All:	Amen.
Priest:	Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee-- Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All:	And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.
Priest:	Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
All:	Amen.
After the prayers of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and bless each room by sprinkling with Epiphany water and incensing it. Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for ex.: 20  C+M+B  05 with the "20 "being the millennium and century, the "C" standing for the first Wise Man, Caspar, the "M" standing for Melchior, the "B" standing for Balthasar, and the "05" standing for the decade and year. It is also popularly believed that the Kings' initials also stand for "Christus mansionem benedicat" ("Christ bless this house").

Note that some write the first Wise Man's name as "Gaspar," "Kasper," or "Jaspar," so the initials would be "G+M+B" or "K+M+B" or "J+M+B." In any case, these initials over our doorway serve to remind us of Who the Magi saw and how they saw Him. They remind us to adore Him as they did. The chalk markings remain over the door 'til Pentecost.

It is a popular custom among some people that all who enter or re-enter their home for the first time after the blessing should step with their right foot across the threshold so as to start things off "on the right foot."

It is customary in some religious orders to choose a new patron Saint today for the coming year. Families can do this, too, choosing a new Saint by designating someone (e.g., father or mother, etc.) to select the new Patron, by determing by lots who will select the new patron, by having family members write down their choices and choosing at random, by allowing the person to choose who presents the best argument for a particular Patron, etc. It would be very beneficial if the person who chooses teaches the rest of the family about that particular Patron, perhaps looking up the Saint in Butler's works, finding art work depicting the Saint, etc., and sharing it.

2019 Goals

2019 House Goals

1. Finish 1/2 bathroom project
2. Bedroom to office conversion
3.Front porch project
4. Deck landscape project
5.Bonus: possible carpet change on stairs, hallway, and two bedrooms.


2019 Spiritual Goals

1. Learn to pray the Little Office as part of the Order of the Preachers


2019 Organization/Budget/Mind Goals

1. Update budget/billing each day to keep on top of it.
2. Work on making sure we are on budget each month.
3. Minimum of two blog posts each week.
4. Read 12 books in 2019.
5.Choose one section of the house each week to de-clutter.