Ash Wednesday

I wrote about Ash Wednesday a few years ago here.  This is my 14th year experiencing an Ash Wednesday Mass.  I'm always touched to my core during the Mass.

I've been blessed to add the Spanish congregation to my Music Director world.  Now I have beautiful Spanish music/words added to my English world.

There's something so humbling and yet uniting when I approach the thought that "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”  (Gen. 3:19)

As we approach tomorrow - let's remember that dust we are and "unto dust we'll return".  May we make the most of our time on this Earth.

Feel free to watch our streaming tomorrow night on our church Facebook page - St. Stephen First Martyr Catholic Church.  English Mass is 5:30pm and Spanish is 7pm.

Some of the music we'll sing tomorrow night.

• Con Estas Cenizas, Senor

• With These Ashes

• Entre Tus Manos

• Ashes to Ashes

• Perdona tu Pueblo Senor

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

If concerned, ask for help!

It's okay to be concerned and ask for help!  We did just that last week.  So thankful we did!

When Bill went through Congestive Heart Failure Oct. 2017, we were told "call us if he gains 3 pounds".  He's been on Prednisone for his lungs and has gained 18 pounds.  If 3 pounds is critical, what in the world is 18 pounds doing to his heart?  So...we called and asked for a "today" appointment with his cardiologist.

"Heart" (CC BY 2.0) by seyed mostafa zamani

We love our cardiologist!  He's practical and calmed us down immediately.  Apparently there's "weight gain" and "weight gain due to fluid".  Thankfully he ordered a BNP test which came back with a really good number which means "no heart failure".

"Thankful" (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) by MTSOfan

We're so thankful that we asked for help and advice!  If you need a good cardiologist (& staff), we have a referral!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Christmas Preparations ~ Favorite Books Pt. 1

I love books.  I'm to the point I can't bring any more books into the house until I give some away - a real dilemma for me.  I've had some books for years - umm, decades.

One of my favorites for Christmas time is "The Christmas Lover's Handbook".  It's full of ideas, craft how to's, recipes, patterns, poems and more.  No matter what - I've never let go of this book.  I'm pleased to see you can still buy it.

  

Another book - "new to me" but not new - is
"The Whole Christmas Catalogue".



The introduction states..."The Whole Christmas Catalogue is designed to help you and your family experience the holiday at its best.  We have included stories and poems that can be read aloud to young children, Christmas carols for the whole family to sing, and crafts and recipes to personalize the festivities."

Once again patterns, recipes, history, beautiful photographs and sheet music!  I believe this "new to me" book will be a keeper also.

What are some of YOUR favorite books as we look forward to and prepare for Christmas?

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

A few thoughts...

1) Last night's sky was a different color for me - almost looked dirty (brownish-gray)

2) It's "Frankincense on my Face" day. Ahhh! To see how I use Frankincense on my Face visit my YouTube channel. I have a "How To" video posted.

To try Frankincense yourself, contact me or follow this link.

3) I'm gaining ground on my "be ready for Christmas before my Music Director hat is firmly in place for the Christmas season" goal.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Rabbit Holes ~ and Faith

I've been in a lot of what I call "Rabbit Holes" during my life.  The place where you're not exactly sure where you are, why you're there and how long it will take to get out...but you know...if you hold on long enough and hang on to your Faith - you will get out!

"Down the Rabbit Hole.jpg" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Mountain Roamer

During some of those times, my husband and I would repeat the words from one of our favorite movies, Memphis Belle.  Now what?!?

So - while I think about the various "Rabbit Holes" we've found ourselves in over the decades, I always come back to - 

I'm thankful for my family, I'm thankful for the way I earn my living,
I'm thankful for the friends that know just when I need a smile and a kind word.

I'm blessed beyond measure with the love of a Heavenly Father that reminds me of the good that is in my life while I climb out of the "Rabbit Holes" of life.

Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Young Living is ~ Sharing and Education

I love learning and I love sharing what I learn!  Here are some truths as I've experienced them.

The NingXia products are some of my favorites!

Young Living is:

• A Membership - think Sams or Costco.  You purchase your membership allowing you to shop at discounted prices.  *The difference is - Young Living gives you oils for your money and not just your membership.  (At Sam's I have to pay for the "membership" and then I go pay for my items.)
  
  
• NOT Sales - with my membership I buy for MY family.  I can help you become a member so you can buy for YOUR family.
  
  
• Education - I post what I'm using, what I've discovered, Workshop links, etc. to help educate others in the use of essential oils.  You don't have to be leery of my "ulterior motive" - I don't have one unless it's to see us all healthy and thriving.  If you don't want to join me on this trip, it's a-okay.  I'll still love you - promise!

Now that we've discussed the "elephant in the room"...

You may have a zillion questions (I know I did).  Feel free to ask away.  I'm a good, safe and honest place to discover ways to kick chemicals out of your house and your body.
Thanks for visiting!  Reia (YL#2389165)

My Daughter's World ~ Bring on the Young Living Essential Oils!

My daughter, Ginger, from www.boredagainlife.com posted the following
today.  (As you read I believe you'll realize - her life is far from "boring"!)

I might start keeping a journal of all the ways we use oils on a daily basis.  Today was both frightening and funny.

We do the daily regimens for our immunity and sleep. 

I do my beauty routine per usual.

Then you have the extra respiratory support for this "mama to be" since my organs are now located in new places.  This basically creates a whole mess of new oil uses to be honest.

But here we go, the good stuff.

Reasons you need oils:

1. Your dog hates thunderstorms and you like to sleep.

Lavender!

2. Your 2 year old delivers you dog poop.  "Vannah stinky poop."

Thieves!  I need the Thieves!!

3. Your 7 year old caught a football with his face.

Lavender!
(What would we do without multipurpose Lavender?)

I mean, really?
Glad I have them, but I could do without the "human" Pooper Scooper.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia