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Lord’s Battle

Posted by eph21920 on December 9, 2025 in Advent, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Patience, Peace, Trust

A friend of mine has been taking care of her 2 toddler grandchildren for a few days now as their parents went out of town. I went over and spent a few hours with all of them today. My friend was pretty tired and I could understand why. The little ones were full of energy as they rode around the kitchen island on their little “bikes”. The older one wanted to show me everything about everything. I gave her a lot of attention and played with her. My friend was actually able to go to the bathroom with only 1 child instead of 2 as I kept the older one entertained. We went out to lunch and the restaurant had a play place that was just their size. After we ate, the children went up the large steps and down the slide about a hundred times. And even so, they were upset when it was time to leave. We were able to get them both and everything out the door with the 2 of us. I did remember when I was doing daycare in my home how hard it was to keep everyone going the same direction at the same time. My friend and I were able to get in a conversation here and there. One thing she said that stayed with me was that the more she tries to force things to go the way she wants them too, the more difficult things are. She has realized it is easier to surrender to where the universe is taking her (God). I have absolutely learned that myself and I remember my dad telling me the same thing. This reminded me of the scripture:

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

I Found God today in the reminder to trust that God is handling things.

Here is a closer look at one of the walls inside the main grotto in Dickeyville WI.

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Loving Treatment

Posted by eph21920 on December 8, 2025 in Advent, Faith, Friends, Generosity, Sacrifice, Struggles

Today I visited my elderly woman as usual on Mondays. We read the Gospel for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception for Communion. She knew all about it. Her son and his wife brought her with them to another state this weekend so the family could have a baby shower for her grandson. In other words, her grandson and his wife will be having their first baby soon. The caregiver for the woman also went along. She made sure she stayed on schedule and did all the necessary things to keep her on track. The caregiver is such an amazing, generous, and loving woman. I am on awe of her continuous giving of herself and seemingly endless energy. When I asked the woman about her weekend, she said she went home and a lot of family came over to visit. She was a little confused on who everyone was – she was sure her grandparents were there too – but she talked about how important it is to stay in contact with family. I noticed she had a ring on her pinky and asked her about it. She said someone just put it on her finger and she hasn’t taken it off. The caregiver said it was a prize from one of the baby showers. The woman’s young great granddaughter put it on her pinky finger. She would take it off to wash her hands and then put it right back on. I thought it was sweet that something seemingly tiny and insignificant brought so much joy. The family and caregiver are so good to this woman and it makes my heart swell.

I Found God today in the way loving people treat an elderly woman.

This week I will be sharing photos from the Dickeyville Grotto in Dickeyville, WI. The grotto and shrines were constructed
by Father Mathias Wernerus between 1924-1930 out of materials and found objects from all over the world. These photos show the outside and inside of the main grotto. Most of the materials are shells and stones held together by cement.

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Faith and Courage

Posted by eph21920 on December 7, 2025 in Advent, Faith, Friends, Mary, Prayer, Struggles

One of my sister’s friends was a huge blessing and support when we were caring for my mom, particularly during her last year. I had met her and talked with her online as she helped us give my mom some comfort using more natural supplements. In the videos, I could see faith symbols in her house and jewelry. Not too long ago, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and has been in and out of treatment. My sister visited her and kept me posted. A couple of weeks ago, the woman and her husband invited my sister to their Catholic Church when they had their marriage convalidated. They looked so happy in the photos. I sent them a congratulatory note and we got to chatting. She said she wanted to attend the event that our Diocese was having to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration was today. I met the friend and her husband in the church parking lot. She had on a shirt and hoodie that both had Our Lady of Guadalupe on them. They also brought their new service dog, which was part Chihuahua. Her name was Rosa – named for the roses that bloomed upon the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. We made our way to the park and joined in the procession. At the front of the line was a huge picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe carried on a platform. Then came the altar servers carrying the cross, the priest and bishops and others carrying banners. Bringing up the end were several different dance troupes dressed in colorful costumes. We processed from a park to the church, and were met by many of the homeowners along the way. I was concerned about our friend walking that far, but she wanted to do it and put on her Our Lady of Guadalupe veil to complete her outfit. She brought her oxygen just in case, but left it in the car. Her husband had trouble with his legs, but they both did fine in the procession. We prayed the rosary in both English and Spanish as we walked the near 1 mile. Once we reached the church, they didn’t go in as she thought it best for her immune system not to be enclosed with so many people. We said goodbye and I stayed for the bilingual Mass, which was beautiful. I was so inspired by the woman and her husband. They were both struggling, but it was important for them to make the almost 2-hour trip for this prayerful celebration. As we talked, they said they hoped to do part of the Camino in Spain as well. I was in awe of her faith, courage, determination, and perseverance.

I Found God today in an inspirational woman.

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A Recollected Spirit

Posted by eph21920 on December 6, 2025 in Advent, Answer, Children, Faith, Mary, Miracle

Today I went to a craft fair and saw several friends there. One walked around with me, some were part of the fair, and others had come to shop. It was busy and bustling with people looking, buying, and selling. There were so many different products and so many vendors it was really somewhat overwhelming. My friend had her lists of Secret Santas she needed to get and was able to find something for everyone. She also got a couple things for herself. I picked up a couple things as well. Then I went to a Christmas party with friends from a church group. It was a lot of fun with laughter and appreciation for those on the board. The whole morning and early afternoon were filled with joyful activity and sounds. When I got home in the afternoon, I was exhausted. I realized I had not listened to the daily meditation yet. So, I lit the Advent candle and welcomed the peace. Here are some words of encouragement from St. Faustina,

“Advent is approaching. I want to prepare my heart for the coming of the Lord Jesus by silence and recollection of spirit…”

“In order to hear the voice of God, one has to have silence in one’s soul and to keep silence.”

“The Lord says, ‘Strive for a life of recollection so that you can hear My voice, which is so soft that only recollected souls can hear.”

I have to say, it takes a lot of hard work to be still and silent. I have always enjoyed thinking and pondering over things, but my mind wants to think about all the things that need to be done and all the worries of life. It takes practice to recognize those thoughts and get back to prayer time. And it is well worth it.

I Found God today in encouragement to have a recollected spirit.

This final photo from the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion includes an apparition of Mary that Adele Brice had and instructions for what she should do. “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”

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Celebrating Sabbath

Posted by eph21920 on December 5, 2025 in Advent, Creation, Faith, Miracle, Rest

In today’s meditation on the Hallow app, I heard about a book called, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”, by John Mark Comer. Evidently this book shares wisdom of practical ways to find peace and stillness in the crazy world we live in. The foundation is to practice the Sabbath, which we know as Sunday. From the book;

“The word Sabbath comes to us from the Hebrew Shabbat. The word literally means to stop. The Sabbath is simply a day to stop. Stop working, stop wanting, stop worrying – just stop.”

The faithful follow God’s example from the book of Genesis. He created the world in 6 days and on the 7th He rested. God knows that our lives are hectic and stressful. We need a day to rest, to re-energize so we can continue. If we fight against this pattern God has laid out for us, we are fighting the natural flow of the universe itself. To practice Sabbath means that we rest and worship God. At the end of the reflection, it was suggested to think of what a true Sabbath would be for me. I would start by going to church, which I am pretty good about doing. But it would take effort to spend the rest of the day worshipping God and relaxing at the same time. I do enjoy being in nature and definitely find God’s presence there. Perhaps reading a book, playing the piano, visiting a friend. And I do like to watch football. I wonder how that is honoring God? In any case, I do find value in taking a day to be with God and stop all the busy-ness. Time to breathe, to be still.

I Found God today in a practical way to be still.

This picture from the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion shows the outdoor Stations of the Cross. The fence surrounds the property. In 1871 the great Peshtigo fire rampaged through Wisconsin. The fenced 5 acres of land and the school, convent, and church that were consecrated to Our Lady were left untouched.

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Growth During Advent

Posted by eph21920 on December 4, 2025 in Advent, Answer, Creation, Faith, Humility, Prayer

Once Thanksgiving rolls around, I start thinking about Christmas gifts, treats to make, cards to send, decoration to put up and the like. Advent can seem like a chore. That is the point of the meditations I have been listening too. It is very realistic, acknowledging the current state of the world. The hope is to help the listener/reader find peace in the midst of it all. Today I appreciated a couple of statements from Caryll Houselander’s book, “The Reed of God”. She says this:

“Advent is the season of the seed: Christ loved this symbol of the seed. The seed, He said, is the Word of God down in the human heart.”

That’s my heart and yours. And the members of your family. And your co-workers. And the person on the street corner holding up a sign. And the stranger, the refugee. The book goes on to say;

“Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence. It is the season of humility, silence, and growth.”

I think it is possible to obtain humility, silence, and growth during this season. It will require perseverance in prayer, discipline in not going overboard or expecting too much of myself, and making time for silence to allow God to speak to my heart. Everything that is worth doing does take work. I’m planning on doing that work.

I Found God today in a reflection on Advent.

Here’s another photo from the Shrine of Our Lady of Champions. Many people came from long distances praying for a cure to their ailments. Those who were cured of some physical affliction left their crutches behind. This is a small sample of the implements that were hung around the whole church at one time.

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Extraordinary Ordinary Life

Posted by eph21920 on December 3, 2025 in Advent, Angel, Answer, Creation, Faith, Life, Trust

Today’s meditation in the Hallow app and chapter in the book, “The Reed of God” by Caryll Houselander, focused on Mary’s Fiat – or her “yes” to God. She was a young girl of only 14 or so. When the angel came to her, the first thing he did was to comfort her and assure her that she didn’t need to be afraid. The angel then proposed God’s plan for her life. An incredible, exciting, terrifying plan. He didn’t give her all the details as to how everything would play out, but she had the capability of giving birth to God’s Son – the Messiah, the One her people had been awaiting for centuries. And she agreed. She gave her consent. The book says,

“The whole world trembled on the word of a child, on a child’s consent. To what was she asked to consent? First of all, to the descent of the Holy Spirit, to surrender her littleness to the Infinite Love, and as a result to become the Mother of Christ. It was so tremendous, yet so passive. She was not asked to do anything herself, but to let something be done to her. She was not asked to renounce anything, but to receive an incredible gift. She was not asked to lead a special kind of life, to retire to the temple and live as a nun, to cultivate suitable virtues or claim special privileges. She was simply to remain in the world, to go forward with her marriage to Joseph, to live the life of an artisan’s wife, just what she had planned to do when she had no idea that anything out of the ordinary would ever happen to her.”

Mary lived a truly ordinary, humble life. She is a beautiful example of surrender to God’s Will for her life and doing so with complete trust in Him. When I think of surrendering my own life to God, firstly I wonder what good could I do. I am a broken person who doesn’t always make the best choices. Closely following that is fear. What is God going to ask me to do? Will I be up for any kind of monumental task? I’m tired and getting older. Looking to Mary as the model, she lived her mostly ordinary life. She kept a house, raised a child, followed her religion, nurtured her relationship with God and listened to His guidance when prompted. I am hopeful that I, too, can live my ordinary life the best I can, trusting in God as the antidote to fear.

I Found God today reflecting on Mary’s extraordinary, yet ordinary life.

Here is a beautiful photo of the statue of Mary surrounded by candles from the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, WI.

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Silence

Posted by eph21920 on December 2, 2025 in Advent, Faith, Grateful, Life, Peace

Today I started reading “The Reed of God” by Caryll Houselander. It was recommended by the Hallow Advent Challenge and was quoted in today’s reflection. Continuing with the theme of being still, the book touched on the problem of silence. It is in silence where we can find peace and even more importantly, it is where we find God. These few sentences struck me:

“Strangely enough, those who complain the loudest of the emptiness of their lives are usually people whose lives are overcrowded, filled with trivial details, plans, desires, ambitions, unsatisfied cravings for passing pleasures, doubts, anxieties, and fears; and these sometimes further overlaid with exhausting pleasures which are an attempt, and always a futile attempt, to forget how pointless such people’s lives are. Those who complain in these circumstances of the emptiness of their lives are usually afraid to allow space or silence or pause in their lives.”

This was written near 80 years ago. Now it is even harder to find silence. We are constantly bombarded with notifications, information, alerts, news, videos. It is easy to become addicted to our electronics and to fill up every empty space with stimulation. I have to make a conscious decision not to just scroll through my phone. The good news is that we do have control over such things and we can change our behavior. The final sentence in the first chapter of the book says:

“Whatever we are gives form to the emptiness in us which can only be filled by God and which God is even now waiting to fill.”

The reflection on Hallow ended in some silent time, which I embraced. As I listened to my inhales and exhales, I thanked God for breathing His life into me. I felt peace.

I Found God today in silence.

Here is another photo from Our Lady of Champion Shrine in Champion, WI.

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Follow Me & Rest

Posted by eph21920 on December 1, 2025 in Advent, Faith, Grateful, Life, Patience, Peace, Rest

I started listening to the Hallow app’s Advent Challenge today titled, “Follow Me & Rest”. Part of the reflection was on how when we see our Nativity scenes, it seems so pristine. However, the reality of a young woman giving birth in a stable was difficult and humbling. And yet, we sing Silent night – all is calm. That doesn’t seem possible. Mary and Joseph would have known Psalm 46 and perhaps it was a source of strength for them. Some of the verses read:

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea, Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging.”

“Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth; Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire; “Be still and know that I am God!”

The last sentence here is one that was suggested to me by a friend years ago and remains in my heart. Be still and know that I am God is especially fitting during this season which holds the potential of over filling and over scheduling – at least it does for me. I am grateful for the encouragement to stop and see what God would have me do.

I Found God today in a reminder to be still and in His Presence.

Here is another photo from Our Lady of Champions Shrine in Champion, WI.

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Beginning Advent

Posted by eph21920 on November 30, 2025 in Advent, Connected, Faith, Love, Travel

The season of Advent begins today. The scripture readings at Mass were all about waiting – but waiting in anticipation and awareness. Here are some of the verses that stood out to me:

“…it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.”

“…stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

During Advent, I can find myself very busy with preparations, shopping, cooking, visiting, etc. I appreciate the reminders during this season to slow down and focus on God. After all, Christmas is the celebration of His coming to our earth, into our lives, to show us that there is more than what this life and time has to offer. When I can look around me with an eternal perspective, everything changes. I am reminded that I will not be here forever, nor will those around me. I think about how to spend the time that I have here. As I look back over my past year, I am grateful to have made a couple of trips and visited people who mean so much to me. I have also been blessed to stop at some amazing churches with the guidance of the book, “Monuments, Marvels, and Miracles, A Traveler’s Guide to Catholic America,” by Marion Amberg. The beauty and uniqueness of each site to me was comparable to humanity. Each location was constructed with love for God and a desire to prompt others to see Him through the extraordinary creation. So it is with us. God created each of us from His love. We are each a non-repeatable individual. We have the capability to show others God through our actions – through who we are. I thought during this Advent, I would share some photos that I took at the different locations. I hope that as you look at them, there will be something that strikes you, that may bring you closer to God. And I hope you remember what a unique, loved individual you are. Stay aware and awake! God is coming and is already here!

This week I will share photos from Our Lady of Champions Shrine in Champion, WI.

I Found God today ready to begin the Advent Season.

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