Miracles Happen

A miracle happened yesterday! 

For our graduation, all the graduates sang "Be Thou My Vision" as our Graduates Prayer.  I played the piano.  Now, I usually get pretty nervous when I perform on the piano, hands shake, legs shake and I generally mess up once or twice.  I was playing Be Thou My Vision through 6 times, so I figured I would be fine by the end - but I was worried about my introduction verse. 

Then I walked up there and sat down, everyone got ready and then one of the graduates played a verse on her tin whistle.  While she played, I was slightly nervous, but then it was my turn, and the nervousness was gone.  I played that piece 6 times through PERFECTLY.  I have NEVER EVER in my 8 years of piano experience played a piece perfectly, not even at home by myself.  And I played it perfectly six times.  Not only that, but I was able to sing along to all the verses.  At the practice, I could only sing the few lines here an there that I had memorized, because I was concentrating on playing and couldn't read the words.  But then, it was almost as if someone else was playing the piano for me (I think there was...) and I was able to read the notes and the words and sing the whole song, something I had really wanted to do, but I didn't think I'd be able to since I didn't have the song memorized.

At one point, about half way through, I realized how well I was doing, and I almost got scared, but I knew that if I thought about what I was doing, I would mess up, and so I kept on going.  Kind of like Peter walking on water... but I didn't drown.

So Praise God and a huge thank you to everyone who prayed for me!  It really worked!

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 4

-1-

I am considering once again changing my blog template. I know, I know you are all thinking (my old readers, anyhow) "GAH! She is forever changing her blog template!" Well, I half-heartedly apologize for that. Honestly, I could no more keep the same look on my blog than wear the same outfit three times in one week. Just my feminine nature, I presume. What is especially tempting is that the website has a bunch of really cute, free blog templates AND it doesn't get rid of all your sidebar thingys! I wouldn't have to ditch all my junk! Ha ha, well I suppose you'll know whether or not I decide. Teehee, I might even decide before the end of this blog post! Ah, decisions, decisions... I am in an indicive mood, family beware!
(Here is the website, in the meantime)

-2-

While at one of the several girl's clubs I belong too the other day, (this one is titled 'The Saint Faustina Club') our leader mentioned a tradition that her family has. At the begining of the year, each family member picks the name of a saint from a hat and that saint becomes their special patron for the year. All the club members did it as well, and I got Bl. Damien of Molokai, a truly amazing saint! Since he is my special patron of the year now, I shall most certainly do a post or two on his life.
My sister ended up with Saint Joseph the Worker, which I doubt is merely a 'coincidence', since St. Jospeh the Worker is one of my family's patron saints - not to mention his feast is also the anniversary of my sister's baptism!
I encourage you to pick your own patron saint for the year. Randomly write down a few saints names on slips of paper and then pick one, or leave a comment and I'd be happy to pick one for you.
All our patron saints, pray for us!

-3-

In this same club, we are studying Ireland, and as part of our learning, we are putting on a small performance for our families. We divided into two groups and each group is decided to put on a skit. One group, Saint Brigid, and the other group, St. Dymphna. I am in the group for St. Dymphna and am playing the role of her father, King Damon. It is quite an interesting role. A bit of background on him: Damon was a pagan married to a devout Catholic woman whom he dearly loved. After she died, he went insane and tried to marry his daughter, Dymphna. She refused, fleeing the country with a priest and a few friends. Damon perused her to Belgium. When he caught up with her, he had the priest killed and then - when Dymphna again refused him - he killed her as well.
So that's who I get to play! I'm actually looking forward too it. This would be the third time I've played a guy (1st was St. Patrick, 2nd time was Angry Mob/St. Jude), so I'll be perfecting my 'guy stance' some more; aka: not standing with my hands folded/clasped, one leg slightly out, the other one slightly bent... no "girly" poses.
I also came up with this cool costume, and I actually look like a guy when I add the make-up beard. Kinda weird... but it's fun.

-4-

The other day, some friends of mine and I were discussing how different actresses/singers look without make-up. Rephrase that - they were discussing, I was listening, as usual. I've seen pictures of some of these young ladies (Kiera Knightly for example) and it's amazing how you would never recognize them! Knightly especially I was shocked, she look like she was about 50 and she is oh what, 24-ish? It's really a shame. They don't look happy either, it's really sad. So they are popular, but at what price?
I was pleasantly surprised though when I looked up Liv Tyler (Arwen from the Lord of the Rings). She is very beautiful with make-up... but I'd say she is even prettier without it! She even looked happy... I know she's an actress, so you can't ever really be sure, but maybe. Hmmm, topic for a full post maybe.

-5-

Ok, something quick for the last quick take.. something funny... aha! Got it! Stay here and don't move while I find 'em...

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Now it's your turn! Below is a Mr. Linky List if you'd care to link to your own 5 Quick Takes Saturday post. Just two things though
(1) Make sure the URL you submit is to your post, not the URL of your blog. (2) Include a link back here.
Can't wait to see what you post!

Merry Christmas To All!

The Story of Christmas, in Photographs

The Annunciation - The Angel Announces that Mary will be the Mother of God

The Innkeeper brings the Holy Family to the Stable

Joseph readies the stable for Mary

Mary and Joseph rest and pray

Angels come to the Stable

The Christ Child is Born

The Shepherds Asleep in the Fields

The Shepherds Are Awakened by the Arrival of the Angels

The Angel Expresses the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds

The lives of the people of Bethlehem

The Shepherds kneel before Jesus

The Shepherds spread the news of Christ's Birth to the townspeople

The townspeople adore Jesus

The three Kings travel to Bethlehem

The Three Kings visit King Herod

The Three Kings give gifts to Jesus

May the love of Christ our Lord
Be with you this day,
To guide you and to hold you
As you go upon The Way.


Merry Christmas!

It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Ah, Christmastime is nearly hear again, as evidenced by the springing forth of Christmas decorations. Every year on the Saturday before Christmas, we pull out the ornaments and the tree tucked away since the past year. (And yes, we have an artificial tree. We did get a real tree one year, but us kids all missed putting together the artificial tree - and besides, it didn't have a scent anyhow! - that we all declared that the next year we'd go back to our dearly beloved 'fake tree'.)
Anyhow, here are some of