7 Quick Takes...Thank God it's Friday?

Good morning everyone!

I am typing this post late Thursday night, thrilled that it will go live on Friday, possibly while I still have my pajamas on.  It's been that kind of week.  Lingering bronchitis and bitter cold temps have kept me holed up in my house all week.  Except yesterday morning, when I actually had to venture out to do a presentation for the Sunrise Rotary Club.  Very nice people...but being up, dressed, and coherent by 7:00 a.m. in the middle of winter is a stretch for me.  Good thing Bruce is a morning guy!  Any way, here are my 7 quick takes...inspired by Jennifer at ConversionDiary.com  Check her out...seriously.

1.

We so often say "Thank God it's Friday!" but isn't that a bit sad?  Are our jobs that tedious or unsatisfying?  Are weekends so much better?  I suppose for some people this is the case.  But I hope to spend 2014 saying "Thank God it's another day!"  After all, He doesn't have to give me another one...why not be thankful for Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays... I'll work harder on the Monday gratitude.

2.

We got more snow today in Danville.  Maybe an inch.  It was a pretty sight coming down.  One of my priest friends posted a quote on Facebook the other day... "There is no such thing as bad weather.  All weather is good because it is God's."  He is unsure who said it... perhaps St. Teresa of Avila or Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade.  Either way, it is a challenging thought.

3.

I spent too much time this evening looking at stamping websites...craving an order of new products.  You know, because I don't have enough ribbon or stamps or card stock.  Well, not enough for Valentines...and I want to make a bunch.  The good news is I only filled my wish lists...I ordered nothing.  Hopefully the urge to spend will go away while I sleep!

4.

This weekend I have family coming by for a belated Christmas celebration.  I am so excited!  Bruce and I spent 8 years as foster parents, and we are still very close to some of our kids...even though they moved out years ago.  Jamie is married, has 3 kids, and calls us Mom & Dad.  Can't beat that!

5.

Next week, I will be going to different area businesses to ask them about underwriting the upcoming Women's Care Clinic Banquet for Life.  I need about $15,000 by April 1st.  Let me know if you want to help!  (I'm only half-way kidding!)

6.

Tonight, television was really bad.  I mean, worse than usual.  I confess I watch too much TV.  One of my goals is to sharply reduce that.  It felt good to just turn the silly thing OFF!

7.

I am doing a workshop at the Heartbeat International Conference this coming March, in Charleston SC.  I will be addressing ministry fatigue and burnout...something I have struggled with off and on for years.  I know some of the things that help me...certainly more prayer, Scripture reading, even stamping.  But I have to work extra hard at staying focused during these cold months.  What do you do to stay focused on the tasks God has assigned to you?  Feel free to share them below.  We can all use some ideas, right?

For more quick takes, check out Conversion Diary

Ciao!

Kim

Happy New Year! How do you top a Hug from the Pope?

Good Morning!  (Or should I say, Buon Giorno!)

Here it is, the start of 2014.  Looking back on last year, it is hard to imagine how we could top 2013! I usually send out about 100 handcrafted cards with a Christmas letter inserted.  But my stampin' mojo was missing...at least the last 2 months of the year.  I barely got birthday cards done for the family (and many were late...very late.) However, I still can do a letter...but for the New Year.  Technically, we are still in the 12 Days of Christmas, so I am NOT late!  Ha!  (Today's post is my letter, with just a few minor adjustments.)

Work was quite busy for me and Bruce.  He worked a lot of overtime at Quaker again.  Unfortunately, he was switched from 1st to 2nd shift in May.  We are not thrilled with it, but in this economy we are counting our blessings.  His enjoys it, it pays well, there is a very short commute, and he has good benefits.  We would take ANY shift!

Kim began the year at Women's Care Clinic with the Sanctity of Life Sunday prayer service being hosted at their own church, St. Paul Catholic Church.  The rest of the year was filled with the usual fund raisers, and the ministry actually broke a record for the spring banquet.  The BIG news is that the ministry purchased a huge building for future expansion.  Kim tells everyone, "It needs a lot of love!"  In the coming year, she will be working with the board and staff on a capital campaign.  While she is nervous about it, she trusts that God will provide...2014 promises to be intense!

In April, Kim began attending a small group of Lay Dominicans that meet monthly on the Purdue University campus.  She was invited by her friend Kari, and felt this new prayer/study format might be what she really needs to dig deeper in her faith.  She is still an "Inquirer," and plans on making her temporary profession sometime in 2014.  Dominicans are known as the Order of Preachers, and while she won't be preaching at Mass, it definitely fits her love for sharing both her faith and her commitment to the sanctity of human life.

Those Quaker benefits mentioned above came in quite handy this year.  In February, Kim needed minor surgery to correct a developing hammer toe on her right foot (a common issue with Dejerine-Sottas.)  It's amazing how something so small can be a big issue!  Bruce also had health issues; experiencing kidney stones for the first time in 5 years, just before Thanksgiving.  In early December, he had out patient surgery to deal with a very large stone, and it looks like he will be fine in 2014!

Many people know what REALLY topped the headlines for our year..our 3 week vacation to Italy!!  Celebrating 20 years of marriage  with a big trip was more fantastic than I can express.  Doing it in a country filled with so much Catholic history made it even better!  We saw beautiful churches, ancient ruins, world class art...and then there was The Hug!  One October 23rd, we went to a General Audience at St. Peter's.  If there is ever a good time to be in a wheelchair, it is at the Vatican!   We had amazing seats in the middle aisle, and the "Pope-mobile" went passed us twice!  After the audience, we stuck around for a bit (the crowd was huge, so no rush, right?)  Good thing we waited, because Bruce saw that Pope Francis was greeting everyone who was in wheelchairs!  There's more to the story, which you can read HERE.  But suffice it to say, we both felt remarkably blessed!! There were numerous photographers, and one company allowed for orders of digital files...that is why you get to see this pictures.  I look at them, and still can hardly believe it!

I am guessing next year will be a bit more "ordinary," but in all reality, if you try to see the blessings, all the blessings, than life is always EXTRAordinary!  You don't have to go around the world to see something (or someone) amazing.  We pray that 2014 will be filled with blessings for you and your families.  May you experience all the joy that God has in store for you!

Merry 8th Day of Christmas...and Happy New Year!!

Kim & Bruce

7 Quick Takes...Actually on Time!

Hello!  It has been a while.  Too long, in fact.  I am considering writing several posts between now and the 31st so I can catch up.  End of the year reflections do that sort of thing.

I am participating in the fun blog activity of posting 7 things, generally unrelated, as seen on one of my favorite blogs, Conversion Diary

1.

I have learned that blogging is harder than it looks.  Well, I knew that.  But really, I need to be more disciplined with this!

2.

I am very grateful that my husband and I were not hosting Christmas for the family...either side.  We barely have things decorated, and the house is a mess.  But I am having a party for ministry volunteers on Sunday.  Oh boy.

3.

My husband is a very good cook.  My waistline is evidence.  His latest culinary accomplishment is a rosemary/olive bread, baked from scratch.  We served it (at my brother's house) with the delicious olive oil we bought in Italy.  So sorry you cannot experience it...but trust me.  Delicioso!!

4.  

I did not complete my handcrafted Christmas cards this year.  Once I fall behind, it is hard to get my mojo back.  The good news is that once I freed myself of that "burden" I felt free to create again.  I made a couple of baby cards and 5 birthday cards this week!  I even updated my stamping blog:  Stamping for LIFE!

5.

Every year, since I was a kid, my mom (and dad while he was still living) has given me a book for Christmas.  She also gives books to my siblings and their spouses and kids.  It is a great tradition.  Since I began studying Dominican spirituality, I asked for something about or by St. Catherine of Siena.  I got 2 books!  One biography, and St Catherine's "The Dialogue."  Looks like 2014 will begin with great reading!

6.

Many people are thinking about New Year's resolutions.  Me too.  More reading, more writing, less Facebook, less television.  More exercise too.  Maybe.  I should...sigh

7.

Then there is the need for more prayer.  Always.  I have quite a year coming up for work...fund raising, hopefully more speaking.  The only way to stay on track and stay healthy is to spend time in serious prayer.  I think I'll check with St. Catherine for some ideas!

Feel free to let me know about any great new foods you had, or resolutions for 2014.  I could also use some tips on being motivated for that exercise stuff!

Blessings,

Kim 

A Tale of Two Great Moms

Have I ever told you about my mom?  Or my mother-in-law?  I don't think so...which is why I decided to brag just a bit today.  I am so crazy blessed by these two amazing women!  Sometimes, I wonder why God chose to give me not one, but two awesome women to call Mom.

Today is my mom's birthday.  She lives in SC, so I do not see her nearly as often as I would like.  But through the years, mom has always been encouraging to me...in my faith, my work, even my crafty hobbies!  My artistic side comes from her (the musical side is from my dad.)  She is also a great cook...something I only partly inherited.  There are so many reasons I love her... Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Now, if you look to fairy tales and movies, you might assume that all mothers-in-law are mean, over-bearing, or hyper critical.  Not so with my MIL, Dorothy.  She's fantastic!  She is so down to earth...I think I have seen her upset just a hand-full of times in the 20 years I have been married, and even then it doesn't last long.  I am grateful that she raised Bruce in the Faith, and that she continues to encourage us through the years.  Yesterday, we (the Padan clan) celebrated Dorothy's birthday, which is on Nov. 8th.  Usually, Bruce & I host the party, but since we just returned from Italy, my brother-in-law Chris and his partner Christina hosted (in their new house!)  It is always great to get together, celebrating our beloved Matriarch (Yes, we call her that, sometimes!)  I truly married into a joyful family!

I decided to share pics of the cards I made for these precious ladies, just for fun.  They can only express a little bit of my love for them.

Today, celebrate your Mom!  Whether she is your biological mom, step-mom, adoptive, mother-in-law, or such-a-good-friend-you-call-her-mom...whether she is still living or has gone on to her heavenly reward...  Motherhood is such an important part of God's plan, and we should all treasure these wonderful women!


Ciao!
Kim