Friday, January 9, 2009

Saturday 1/10/09 - Interview with a Prayer Girl


"INTERVIEW WITH
A PRAYER GIRL"
(To use Steveroni's phrase, this ended up a "blong")

There’s a game going around. I found it at Shadow's blog. I was game to play so she sent me these questions. If you want to play too, check out the rules at the bottom…

1. if your husband were to give you a surprise, in any shape, form or action, what would please you the most?


A trip to Italy


2. what was the worst argument you had with the person who taught you how to drive a car/ride a bike?

I'm not much of an argumentative person. Rather than argue, I tend to pout, give the "silent treatment". (Getting better in this regard, I hope.) My father taught me how to drive a car and I don't remember any arguments. My initial instruction in riding my scooter was from none other than Mr.SteveroniPants. I remember one day his instruction involved practicing
certain maneuvers by following his lead. He was, in my estimation, being a MrSmartyPants, not realizing my actual ability or lack thereof, and making moves that were way above my skill level. I was afraid of falling over. Finally, I just stopped in the middle of an area of the parking lot as he continued weaving, turning, stopping, and drove out of sight. Eventually I got moving again and drove to where he had finally parked. That's as close as I got to an argument.

3. we all like to eat healthy foods, within certain dietary guidelines. which one item, is your favourite ‘downfall’?


Trying to name just one item of all my favorite food "downfalls" was really tough. I adore sugar in general - candies, cookies, cakes, pies, as well as all kinds of junk food that turn into sugar once you eat them. So, one item......I guess I'll pick CHOCOLATE FUDGE!


4. tell me more about your ‘ministry of healing touch’, what it is, what it means to you, what it means to whom it is applied.


The ministry of healing touch. What is it? Good question. I have an answer I have cobbled together based on the sequence of events and conversations with my parish priest. For me, I can characterize it best by describing what happened the first time I came to know for myself what it was and that I had it.


On a Saturday in December of '06, I was sitting with my husband in our parish Church and felt compelled (mental thing) to hold his arthritic hand and I just kept thinking his hand would be healed. Later that night I was playing cards with a group of girls. One of the girls had asthma, had forgotten her inhaler, and was having more and more difficulty breathing as the night went on. One side of my mind had the "compelling" desire to get up, go over, and place my hands on her back. I did not reason this out, just felt it so strongly. The other side of my brain said to me, "Are you crazy? What will they think? What if nothing happens?". The war went on in my mind till I finally got up, went to the girl, placed my hands on her back
and immediately her breathing became normal. She was stunned. I was stunned. I went home in excited shock and told hubby all about it. Two days later he told me the arthritis in his hand was healed that day in the church. (He waited two days to tell me to be "sure" the pain was really gone.)

There have been many other instances since then. I can only say that I believe that God uses my hands as a channel to heal. I don't know why. I just know He does. I only know that something has happened if the other person tells me. Sometimes there is an immediate physical healing or relief that I can see. Sometimes healing relief happens later. There are also times when what happens seems to be more in the realm of spiritual or emotional healing - people express a feeling of peace. Sometimes people say they feel a great deal of heat coming from my hands. I don't feel it.


I was thrilled and scared. I didn't understand what was going on. I went to see our priest and explained what was happening. He told me this was one of the many kinds of spiritual gifts and it is not uncommon for people to have spiritual gifts.

He also told me three things.
One, it's not about me.

Two, God has his purposes.

Three, don't limit God.


What does it mean to me?

It's hard to put this into words. It means everything to me. Life is full of mystery and the supernatural. The supernatural is God interacting in this world - NOW, TODAY, not just in the past. This entire experience has humbled me especially when I realize I have no power over this healing touch. God is totally in charge and I remain willing to be of service.

What does it mean to others?

I mostly don't know - it is a very personal thing between them and God. Most people don't know what to say to me. Those with a belief in God often have that belief reinforced. I'm sure more will be revealed.

5. describe the place (anywhere in the world) you would most like to live, be it real or imaginary.

The place I would most like most to live is in the mountains. I absolutely adore mountains and I miss the change of seasons that I grew up with. I remember rhododendron, cherry blossoms, and azaleas in glorious profusion in Spring. I remember the beauty of the colored leaves on and off the trees in Fall. I love the beauty of snow in the Winter and the green everywhere in the Summer. In my perfect place, snow would remain for short periods of time and my electric would never go out. My mountain home would always have the perfect amount of rain and snow so that the creeks and streams would always bubble downhill in the Spring and Summer.


The Rules
  • Leave me a comment saying: interview me
  • Comments with e-mail addresses will not be published to preserve privacy
  • I will e-mail you five questions. I get to pick the questions
  • You can then answer the questions on your blog
  • You should also post these rules along with an offer to interview anyone else who e-mails you wanting to be interviewed
  • Anyone who asks to be interviewed should be sent 5 questions to answer on their blog
  • It would be nice if the questions were individualized for each blogger
So, who's up for it????

(Photo Credit: Praying Angel by Matt Birbiglia)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Friday, 1/9/09 - Moving Out of the Darkness, Back into the Light!

(These babies are made of cake frosting - marzipan. A very talented lady made them. They are unbelievable! Every detail is amazing - they look VERY real. Marzipan is Almond paste: a sweet paste made of ground almonds and sugar, often with egg whites or yolks, used as a layer in cakes or molded into ornamental shapes.)

"MOVING OUT OF THE DARKNESS,
BACK INTO THE LIGHT"

  • Yesterday I looked up the recipe for the Olive Garden's "Zuppa Toscana" that both hubby and I love. This morning I spent 2 hours making it. There was no guarantee it would turn out as tasty as the restaurant version. (The comments on the web site where I found the recipe promised it would be even better.) It exceeded our expectations . We sampled it for lunch and had it again for dinner. Cooking can be a creative endeavor, a healing activity. For me, today, it was just that!
  • I received many encouragements through the comments on my blog. I hate admitting I might "need" this encouragement, but the truth is - I do! I still harbor a remnant of the belief that I can be totally self-sufficient. It is a lie I tell myself sometimes. It never turns out well.
  • I am having e-mail correspondence with a blogger that is very rewarding. Our communication has reminded me of the mysteries of God in our lives.
  • In December I responded to a J-Online blog in the affirmative and as a result she sent me a wonderful gift. I went to open the front door yesterday to let the cool air in and there at the door was the package. It contained some of the most beautiful gifts - an angel that will join my angel family on my desk, a beautiful cross, a bracelet that is just like one I have wanted, writing paper, a journal, and all packed in an original decorated box that is now my "GOD BOX". It doesn't get much better than this!!!
  • I went to work out at the gym for the 2nd time this week. It is too easy to get out of the habit. While there, I spoke with a woman I'm hoping to have as a personal trainer. My "insides" tell me she's the one even though her schedule is very full. I believe it will work out.
  • A sponsee that I've been concerned about - who has not been calling regularly (she was on my mind yesterday and again today) finally called me. I was relieved to hear from her.
  • The weather is a little cooler today, high 72 rather than 80. I am delighting in the crispness of the air. Great weather for cycling.
  • I have just had the idea to try making a wedding gift for my daughter-in-law-to-be. I knitted a pillow covering with an intricate pattern on it 40 years ago for my mother. My parents are gone now, but that pillow sits on my sofa. I still have the pattern. I'm going to get the pattern book, my needles, and yarns out and see what I can come up with. I love starting projects. Finishing them is sometimes another matter, but we'll see... :)
Prayer Girl

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Thursday, 1/8/09 - GRATITUDE


(Note: My brain is creating havoc in my head these days. I'm still bouncing all over the place since Christmas. The gist of my angst is that "very old bugaboo" - "low self-esteem". I say to myself, mercy - mercy, isn't that issue dead and buried in the ground yet??? Apparently not!)

After a few days of wrestling with old demons, I decided to just keep it simple and blog a gratitude list.

"GRATITUDE"


I am grateful that I "never" think of taking a drink.

I am grateful that I still love my Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings.

I am grateful that I have taken the time to develop a relationship with my sponsor - taken time to get to know her and had the courage and honesty to let her know who I am.

I am grateful that I trust my sponsor.

I am grateful that I know when I get into difficult mental places that "this too shall pass".

I am grateful that I know that God is close to me, is interested in me, cares for me, and always guides me no matter how I may be "feeling".


I am grateful for family.


I am grateful that I have "made a decision" to turn my will and my life over to the care of God and that as long as I don't take that decision back, I know I will never have to return to the way I used to be.


I am grateful for friends, sponsees, family, and others who care for me.


I am grateful for all the spiritual experiences I have had in my life.

I am grateful I was able to get this post written.

I am grateful for the power of prayer.

Prayer Girl

(Photo Credit: My Own Fairy Tale by Sandmanns Frau)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Monday night 1/5/09 - "Twelfth Night Gift"

"TWELFTH NIGHT GIFT"

Twelfth Night or Epiphany Eve is a festival in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany, concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas, and is defined by the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary as "the evening of the fifth of January, preceding Twelfth Day, the eve of the Epiphany, formerly the last day of the Christmas festivities and observed as a time of merrymaking".

My mother used to love to have "Twelfth Night" parties. She loved entertaining and that was a favorite party date. In memory of my mother, here is a "Twelfth Night" gift for you.

THE GIFT

A gentle calm - still, quiet air descends

Falling like a silent coverlet of snow

Swathing in beauty the ordinary raiment of daily fare

Powdering crystalline the empty syllables and commonplace replies


The school-taught, teacher-learned, man-made words are hushed

As phrases featherlight as snowflakes drift about
Preparing a special link of thoughts and words

Meant to say - be joy, be peace, be love


The gift to you is you, that closest and most sure of all

Listen! As if listening for the flutter of a far-off bird

Watch! As though watching for that first bright evening star

Feel! As though floating, drifting inward to your own


Falling through yourself - that self-made door
Cascading through into the inner universal light
To that place of purest feelings felt

Within the deepest core rests the whole


A masterpiece of symphonated sound will greet your inward ear

A portrait pulsing with profoundest hues will touch your inner eye
You are the work of art beyond the hand and ear

The essence of all masters put to real


Joy, peace, love - not letters ranged in rows

But self-essences to know

They are met within - at eye-blink reach

To touch, to see, to feel, to be
Prayer Girl

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Sunday 1/4/09 - "NEW YEAR'S EVOLUTIONS""

"NEW YEAR'S EVOLUTIONS"

FOR 2009
-
OUT WITH RESOLUTIONS!
-
IN WITH EVOLUTIONS!

Evolution (definition): A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.

Most years I decide on New Year's Resolutions and by the end of the week or even the day in which I made them, they are gone from my head for the duration of the year. Sometimes I try to remember last year's when the new year rolls around, but seldom can remember.


This year I have decided to think in more gradual terms because that is how changes happen for me.


So......(for me)........ WHAT NEEDS EVOLVING?


Appreciation of each moment.


Artistic expressions:

Writing poems, writing in general

Drawing and painting


Physical well-being:

Less eating
Healthy eating

Exercise

Spirituality:

Prayer life

Conversations with God

God-consciousness


Getting out of myself:

Finding an AA home group
Working with others

Ministries:
Ministry of "presence"
Ministry of "healing touch"

Ministry of "prayer"

The art of "Listening"

Practicing being satisfied.

Being a "prayer" girl!



Photo credit: Recursive Stained Glass - By Gadl - (License)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Friday, January 2, 2009

Saturday 1/3/09 - "HAPPINESS IS...."

(Ohhhhh, I'm soooo happy - and soooo excited!)

"HAPPINESS IS...."

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Mahatma Gandhi

Happiness according to Prayer Girl:

Happiness is when your son and his wonderful wife-to-be come to visit.

Happiness is the knowledge that my son and his fiance are well suited for each other.

Happiness is watching the happiness of my son as he interacts with the woman he has found to live his life with.

Happiness is spending the day with them having Starbucks triple grande coffees, browsing the elegant shops of our downtown tourist district, and laughing and reminiscing.


Happiness is cooking a Christmas/New Year's meal that didn't leave me exhausted and everyone enjoyed.


Happiness is playing games - UNO and Rummikub - with them.


Happiness is having my son show me how to use the espresso machine I have had for years, but could not remember how to use.


Happiness is being sober and having harmony in what I think, say, and do.


Happiness is having the freedom to make choices every day.

Happiness is having found the right man for me.

Happiness is being able to write a short blog and knowing that's O.K.

Happiness is being Prayer Girl and praying.
Prayer Girl

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Thursday 1/1/09 - OUT WITH THE OLD-IN WITH THE NEW

"OUT WITH THE OLD -
IN WITH THE NEW"


OUT with 2008
IN with 2009

OUT with fear
IN with faith and trust

OUT with worry
IN with hope

OUT with preoccupation with what you think of me
IN with seeing how I can be of service to others

OUT with sloth
IN with exercise

OUT with the illusion of control
IN with acceptance of my powerlessness

OUT with feeling overwhelmed by powerlessness
IN with prayer

OUT with excess
IN with moderation

OUT with fat, bad carbs, and too much sugar
IN with healthy eating habits

OUT with just thinking about what I want to do
IN with "doing it"

OUT with resistance to change
IN with embracing change

OUT with negativity
IN with God

OUT with loneliness
IN with reaching out to others

OUT with illness
IN with healing

OUT with ill will towards others
IN with love

OUT with judgment, censorship, and criticism of self and others
IN with compassion

OUT with EGO
IN with God's will

OUT with sleepless nights
IN with restful sleep

OUT with discord
IN with peace

OUT with old goals
IN with new ones

Happy New Year to all my blog friends,
Prayer Girl