
— 1 —
I think I’ve been doing okay about blogging more. My vanity has been appeased by the increased traffic flow from simply posting more often, so that’s nice. I even got back to my roots last week in “The Rough Patch,” just writing about what’s been on my mind and heart. It feels good.
I initially started blogging because I’ve been a journaler since middle school, and this remains my primary outlet for writing. I’m glad that I’ve been able to write more. The additional readers is just a nice bonus.
— 2 —
My baptism anniversary was on January 10th. I only became aware of the actual date two years ago, when, after recommending that the previous year’s neophytes bring back their baptismal candles for the Easter Vigil, I realized that I had no idea where my own was. Even after three overseas moves (Japan, Germany, and back to Maryland), my mom still had my candle!
On the candle box (which is in good shape almost thirty years later), I found my baptism date as well as my godparents’ names. The priest who baptized me died a few years back. I remember being at my original parish the Sunday morning they announced his death. May he rest in peace. My aunt (and her husband) are listed as two of my godparents, which can’t quite be right, because they’ve never been Catholic. I’m not sure I’ve ever met the third (technically second) godparent.
Even though that day didn’t exactly start years of faithfulness for me, it was the beginning of my relationship with God. I don’t know if I ever would have found my way to him without it.
— 3 —
The previous Sunday was my second godson’s baptism anniversary. He is just over a year old now and growing very fast, if his parents’ Christmas card is any indication. I prayed for him extra that day and this past Sunday. He still lives far away, but the family has moved closer. Maybe I can dash up for a weekend this summer.
— 4 —
If you’re a godparent looking for ways to reach out to your long-distance godchildren, I recommend a very specific moment of prayer. At Sunday Mass at every parish I’ve ever been to, the lector or deacon leads a moment of silence for our own prayers. I jump on this moment as a memory trigger (the best way to make a habit).
I always pray for a very specific group of people:
- my future husband,
- the aforementioned godson and his parents,
- my brother (my first godson),
- my sister (my confirmation candidate… my confirmed?… you know what I mean),
- and my parents (who are my siblings’ parents, too, of course).
The reminder to pray for them is built right into Mass, so I know I log it in at least once a week, easy peasy. Try it yourself!
— 5 —
Speaking of prayer triggers, that is also how I remember to pray for the holy souls in purgatory, to whom I have a devotion. If you’re not familiar with Grace After Meals, it is often said with the prayer for eternal rest. I rarely remember to pray after meals, so I connect Eternal Rest with Grace Before Meals. It only takes a few extra seconds, and then I’ve logged in that prayer, too! #winning
— 6 —
I took the Jeopardy! online test again a week before last Wednesday. I think I did okay, but, as when I’ve taken it in the past, there were a few questions I blanked on. There were a few others I was surprised that I knew, though. We’ll see how this round goes. Maybe 2014 will be my year!
— 7 —
I woke up at the crack of dawn (the 8 a.m. dawn) to get my hair trimmed this morning. On a whim, I decided to have it curled instead of straightened. Since I am currently not wearing any makeup, there will not be any photos now.
I have a birthday party to go to tonight, though. One of my friends with naturally curly hair has planned to straighten hers—role reversal! If the curls can last through dinner, a shower, cleaning the house, a church leadership meeting, and Mass, I’ll see if I can Instagram a photo tomorrow.
Have a good week!
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