Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Adoring My Lord

My parish began a 24/7 adoration chapel about a year ago. For those unfamiliar with an adoration chapel, it is a small chapel that is separate from the main church that houses the consecrated host of Jesus. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine offered at Mass when consecrated by a priest. 
During this time adorers may come to spend alone and quiet time with the Lord in His most sacred state. I never understood the true power and beauty of this until I attended CRHP Retreat(Christ Renews His Parish) a few years ago. Being in the presence of Christ allowed me to pray deeply and grow closer to our Lord.
Fast forward to last year when our parish started our adoration chapel. In order for it to remain open 24/7 we had to have adorers at every time of day, as you do not want to leave Jesus alone. They asked for adorers and I couldn't see myself committing to an hour every week. It now sounds so selfish, but I had just given birth to Eli and was trying to manage a home with a baby. 
I substituted for a friend a few times on Friday nights when she had to go out of town. Every time I left I felt that I needed to be there. Jesus wanted me to spend time with Him. The hustle and bustle of being a new mom was weighing on my spiritual life. I prayed my Rosary every morning, but I really needed that deep contemplative prayer time that adoration offered. 
In July, my friend told me that they needed another person to take the shift after her, if not she would be taking three hours by herself in the middle of the night. I felt the call to accept this gift that God was wanting me to have.
My time is for 1 1/2 hours on Friday night. It's not always easy to wake up in the middle of the night, but it's worth it every single time I open that chapel door. This is my "me time" with Jesus. There are no text messages going off, no babies crying, no noise distracting me from what I came there to do. By spending that time with Jesus, I am able to not only talk to my Lord, but truly listen to what He wants for me. This time is sacred. I want others to take this same opportunity to grow closer to Christ.
I know that my parish is truly blessed to have an adoration chapel. I have talked to neighboring parishoners and they are always in awe that we have a chapel to go to at anytime of the day. I pray that more people take advantage of this gift.
 God is waiting for us. 
We have only to accept.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Halloween 2014

Last Halloween, we were bringing our newborn baby boy home from the hospital. This year, we were dressing up our one year old up as an ewok.
I let Eli walk around in his costume a few days before Halloween so he could get more comfortable in it
He loved wearing the costume
On Halloween day, my sister and I took the kids to her work Halloween party
Eli and Marley had fun trick-or-treating and playing in the pumpkin patch
Eli was stopped many times for pictures in his ewok costume
My neighborhood decided to hold trick-or-treating this year. We've never had trick-or-treating in our neighborhood because we live in the country. Our family and friends came out to several participating houses on a hayride. It was so much fun and I wish I had more pictures of the event.
Our house was ready to go for ghosts and goblins to come and get candy
The event was such a success that we decided to keep it going next year. I can't wait to see how it will go next year!



Eli's First Birthday Party

We held Eli's birthday party a few days from his actual birthdate. My family and friends came out to help celebrate our sweet guy's big day.
We had a Halloween themed party since Eli's birthday is the 29th
My sister helped me decorate our house

We had nachos, pumpkin cheesecake dip, mummy hot dogs, hot dog fingers...
And even a mad scientist cooking a delicious concoction
We encouraged everyone to wear their Halloween costumes to the party
Our little ewok
He needed a snack break
Eli's guests
My cousins were happy to be there
Eli playing with his aunt and cousin
A few of our guests playing with toys
All of Eli's younger guests in costume
They were all just too cute for words
I'm so glad he had so many friends come to his party
Just enjoying the party
It was finally time for birthday cake
We got Eli his own cupcake to eat
He kept trying to touch the flame-lit candle
He loved the cupcake
Eli(ok, me) opening his presents
He didn't know what to do with all of these great gifts
I'm saddened that our little boy is growing up so quick, but I am so blessed to have him in our lives