The Bear and the Fox

Since the pictures of my own two actors didn't come out well yesterday, I took a couple today with my phone. The quality isn't great, but aren't they cute anyway???

Can you guess which one has been bitten *hardest* by the acting bug?

"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" pictures

Here are some pictures I took at rehearsal tonight. It is coming together! We are so excited!

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

We're getting closer! Only 2 more rehearsals until our first performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! Ethan and Sam are getting excited...and so is their mom!

The show is coming together nicely. I am stepping in for the stage manager who had to have surgery. I haven't stage managed before, but I am having a good time. I hope I'm being helpful:P

We will be performing in our local opera house, a beautiful venue. Even more wonderful is the fact that we have access to more "techy" stuff like special lighting and even snow!!
The set looks magical...thanks in part to my "wonderful husband", as the director dubbed him. The director wanted real trees on stage, and I sort of :) volunteered to be responsible for the trees. Of course, my "wonderful husband" ended up cutting them down and imaginatively configured a way to get them to stand up sturdily and safely on stage. When the lights hit the bare branches, it is magic! I can't wait to see them bathed in blue light with snow falling!!!

Of course, my view will be from the side, as I will be opening the curtain on this scene.

I am very proud of my boys. I see a lot of his older sister's love of drama in Sammy (age 8). He does some of the things Lexi used to do--memorizing the entire script and know everyone else's lines (this didn't necessarily make her very popular with the rest of the cast, as she would say their lines for them if they forgot;), becoming swept away by the story and "live" it even offstage (listening to music, watching the movie, reading the book, and finding coloring pages of the story) and re-enacting parts of the play with his little sister. Sam knows his cues and his lines and delivers them with gusto!! In fact, Heidi Fagan, the director, told me that she wants a video tape of Sammy delivering one of his lines to show future drama students how to "cheat out" and deliver with volume. It is so cute...he does it perfectly!

Ethan is my "shy guy." He wasn't sure he wanted to be in the play at first, but after he attended a practice, he thought he would try it. It helped that several of his friends were also in the play. Although he looked uncomfortable at first, whereas Sammy took to it like a fish in water, Ethan has really "come out of his shell." He also knows his cues and lines and delivers them with volume. Ethan even gets to participate in the fight scene, where he is wounded by Edmund. Ethan will push himself out of his comfort zone, to face his fears and grow as a person. I love this about him! He even told me that he never expected that being in a play would be so much fun, but it is!

Theater is a great vehicle for teaching so many things. Having the experience of speaking before an audience will always be a benefit, no matter what one chooses to pursue as a career. Some of the more hidden, but important lessons are taking responsibility for knowing their cues, memorizing lines, knowing when their costume changes are, taking care of their costumes (if they are not hung up, they "disappear") and taking responsibility for their props. While there are people backstage to help, the kids have to take charge of these things themselves. I have been impressed at how all of the kids in the cast have assumed this responsibility. What a great life lesson! And how wonderful to see their self-confidence and self-esteem bloom because they are successfully accomplishing these tasks.

If you are in the area, please join us on Friday 4/30 at 7pm, or Saturday 5/1 at 1pm for a wonderful show. I'll try to post pictures later.

BTW - the poster above was drawn and painted by the resident artist and 1st/2nd grade teacher at NECA, Sara Breisch. Isn't it gorgeous?

Jesus loves me, this I know...

Last Sunday I asked our pastor what would happen with the beautiful blue hydrangeas that adorned the church for Easter, once they had gone by. He said they either threw them out or gave them away. I told him I was very much interested in them, since we have a new yard that needs landscaping. (Actually, all we have is sand and gravel right now... no grass, but I expect we will have grass at some time in the near future....you know, since my husband is the guy who makes lawns...you know...hint, hint, honey:)Anyway, Father called yesterday to tell me that the flowers were ready for me to pick them up. The kids and I went to the church this morning to find the sacristy absolutely FULL of blue hydrangeas and white lilies! We did manage to fit all of the plants into the car by laying seats down and piling them around kids, but what a huge amount of flowers! After we loaded the flowers up into the car, we had to vacuum the church because the flowers dropped petals from the sacristy, to the altar, up the center aisle, to the vestibule.
While I wasn't expecting the huge amount of flowers, there was something else that happened that was unexpected. My three youngest children and I ended up spending a good hour in our church, all by ourselves, alone with Jesus. It felt to me as if Jesus "arranged" this time for us to be with Him. The children and I discussed what a privilege it was to actually be *alone* with Jesus in our church, and how much He loves us, to want to spend this time with us. We felt very blessed. Oh, how lovely it was to kneel before him in silent adoration, loving him, being blessed by him, especially before Sammy's First Holy Communion in a few weeks.It is interesting that my patron saint for the year, Benedict Joseph Labre, was very devoted to Eucharistic Adoration. I have asked him to bring me closer to Jesus. I love Adoration, but (shamefully) have found/made very little time for it in my life these busy days. My two older children and I went frequently to adoration when they were little, but not so with the younger ones. My children need to go to Adoration; I need to go to Adoration. Jesus made sure we got what we needed...as always.
Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us and bring us more frequently to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Words fail

I have no wise words or deep thoughts to share...only numbness.
My dear friend's husband, Blaine Savage, who's name has appeared here before, is no longer in remission. He is only 43.
He writes about it here:
Ben Hur

Their faith and strength have been inspiring throughout this ordeal. They are special people and dear to my heart, as are their children.

Also, another young woman (age 27) I have known since her birth has received the same news as Blaine: "The cancer has returned." Her name is Hillary.

I am asking for prayers for both Blaine and Hillary and their families. And perhaps a miracle...or two...

St. Benedict Joseph Labre

Today is the feast of my patron saint for 2010. Here is some information about him:
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Pray for us!

St. Benedict Joseph Labre

(d. 1783)

Benedict Joseph Labre was truly eccentric, one of God's special little ones. Born in France and the eldest of 18 children, he studied under his uncle, a parish priest. Because of poor health and a lack of suitable academic preparation he was unsuccessful in his attempts to enter the religious life. Then, at 16 years of age, a profound change took place. Benedict lost his desire to study and gave up all thoughts of the priesthood, much to the consternation of his relatives.

He became a pilgrim, traveling from one great shrine to another, living off alms. He wore the rags of a beggar and shared his food with the poor. Filled with the love of God and neighbor, Benedict had special devotion to the Blessed Mother and to the Blessed Sacrament. In Rome, where he lived in the Colosseum for a time, he was called "the poor man of the Forty Hours Devotion" and "the beggar of Rome." The people accepted his ragged appearance better than he did. His excuse to himself was that "our comfort is not in this world."

On the last day of his life, April 16, 1783, Benedict Joseph dragged himself to a church in Rome and prayed there for two hours before he collapsed, dying peacefully in a nearby house. Immediately after his death the people proclaimed him a saint.

He was officially proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo XIII at canonization ceremonies in 1883.

Comment:

In a modern inner city, one local character kneels for hours on the sidewalk and prays. Swathed in his entire wardrobe winter and summer, he greets passersby with a blessing. Where he sleeps no one knows, but he is surely a direct spiritual descendant of Benedict, the ragged man who slept in the ruins of Rome’s Colosseum. These days we ascribe such behavior to mental illness; Benedict’s contemporaries called him holy. Holiness is always a bit mad by earthly standards.

Trying out Picasa

Here are some pictures of a recent rehearsal for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Sammy and Ethan are both very excited for their debut performances on April 30 and May 1. We are living, breathing, eating and sleeping Narnia these days. It's a lovely place to be!

You will need to click on the picture below to go to the album. There is a button in the upper left corner to see the pictures as a slideshow.

Lion Witch Wardrobe Update: I changed the settings on this album to "public". I was told it couldn't be viewed before. It should be OK now.

Little Audrey Santo

Three years ago today, little Audrey Santo passed into the arms of God. Read her incredible story here. Basically, she drowned when she was 3 years old and was left in a non-responsive state. Her mother was told to put her in an institution, but she refused, saying she would care for Audrey at home. And she did...with the assistance of the community that rallied around her...for 20 years. Miracles began to occur around Audrey: bleeding statues, oil oozing from statues and most astoundingly, hosts began to bleed during Masses said at her bedside. All of this happened in Worcester, Massachusetts. Audrey is a powerful witness to the culture of LIFE. In the world's eyes, her life had little or no value--she couldn't work, she couldn't walk or talk, she needed constant care. But God used little Audrey Santo to show the world that each life, regardless how little, weak, or broken, has great value and is so very precious in His sight.
Thank you, dear Lord, for the gift of little Audrey's life. Through her witness, may the Culture of Life shine forth to dispel the culture of death that currently exists in our world.
Little Audrey, pray for us.

Prayer for the Beatification of Audrey

Eternal Father, we thank you for the gift of Audrey Santo and for her extraordinary witness to the world that all life, no matter how small, broken, or wounded, remains precious in Your eyes. Grant that she may be venerated as a saint for the glory of God. Hear the requests of all those who seek her intercession, especially the grace for which we now ask… We ask this through Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena for Pope Benedict XVI

Please join in this special novena for Pope Benedict XVI, beginning on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 11, and concluding on Monday, April 19, the 5th anniversary of the Holy Father's election to the Holy See.

We pray for the pope and for his pastoral mission, asking God to protect, strengthen and uplift our beloved Holy Father at this time of considerable challenge.

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Happy Birthday, Scott

Even though he doesn't like this sort of thing, I couldn't let my hubby's special day go unrecognized. Happy Birthday, my love.
May God bless you today and always with the Grace, Wisdom, and Strength that the physical and spiritual Head of a household needs, with the JOY to appreciate his blessings, and with the Confidence that you are a beloved child of God.
Here are pics of you doing some of the things you love best:

Being photographed with beautiful girls;)Excavating (sort of):

Ahhh, your favorite!:

Outdoor sports:And this is what we think you are:
Lots of love always,
Your wife and your progeny;)

Easter Morning Fun

After being woken up much too early by our dear little ones, hubby gathered us all together upstairs to read the Easter story from Scripture. We discussed the amazement of the disciples on the way to Emmaus when the "interesting traveler" explained to them the Scriptures regarding the Messiah, their recognizing him in the breaking of the bread, and their excitement which led them to walk the 7 miles back to Jerusalem after just traveling that 7 miles. Sammy assured us that he would have done the same thing!:-) Not to mention the wonder and awe (and even fear) the apostles experienced when the man they saw crucified suddenly appeared before them very much alive! What a story!
The kids were very diligent about not using the word "Alleluia" during Lent and would remind anyone (mostly me) who forgot that it was a banned word. So, I hid the "Alleluia" for them to find after we finished reading the Scriptures. Then we descended the stairs singing Alleluia! It was a joyful noise!

Our Easter Altar:
Our new Paschal Candle:We placed the "Alleluia" on our Easter altar and the egg hunt began! They love this and do not seem to tire of searching for eggs. They will re-hide them for each other during the day also. It made my heart happy to see my big 17 year old boy still want to be part of the egg hunt:) Very much a man-boy moment. Here's everyone looking for that last egg:

We finished the day with a cook-out (yup! a cook-out on April 4th in New Hampshire!!! The weather has been phenomenal!) at Scott's parents' house, where the kids had another Easter egg hunt (outside!) and the dads played wiffle ball with the kids (outside!). We also had cake and pie for a reluctant birthday boy, my husband, whose birthday is today. It was a lovely day.

He is Risen! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

He is Risen!

Alleluia.
Salvation, glory, and power to our God:
his judgments are honest and true.
Alleluia.
Sing praise to our God, all you his servants,
all who worship him reverently, great and small.
Alleluia.
The Lord our all-powerful God is King;
let us rejoice, sing praise, and give him glory.
Alleluia.
The wedding feast of the Lamb has begun,
and his bride is prepared to welcome him.
Alleluia.

Revelation 19:1-7

Every Knee Must Bend

Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.

Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.

He was known to be of human estate,
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!

Because of this
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,

So that at Jesus' name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Philippians 2:6-11

Thy Will Be Done

"He was spurned and avoided by men,
a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,
One of those from whom men hide their faces,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured,
While we thought of him as stricken,
as one smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins.
Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep,
each following his own way;
But the Lord laid upon him
the guilt of us all.
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted
and opened not his mouth;
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
or a sheep before the shearers,
he was silent and opened not his mouth...

Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
Through his suffering, my servant
shall justify many.
and their guilt he shall bear.
Therefore I will give him his portion among the great,
and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty,
Because he surrendered himself to death
and was counted among the wicked;
And he shall take away the sins of many,
and win pardon for their offenses."

Isaiah 53:3-7, 11-12