the Water of Grace: The Gift

So I'm going to back up a bit... all the way back to April. What again happened in April?? Seems so long ago, or maybe just a lot happened in between then and now. So let's see... babysitting, bridal showers, baby shower, track meets, First Communion, celebrating with friends, trip to Europe!!! And my Birthday!! :) A very special day, I wanted to remember it all! All I felt --- the love, the joy, the gratitude!! Even if it's months later. :)

When deciding if I should go on the trip to Spain or not, I did not realize my birthday would be right in the middle until about a couple months ago. And I am so glad it was!! I had the most perfect, special, loved day!! Probably my best birthday yet! :) I will explain through the photos.

First, since I knew my birthday would have me away from my family and friends, I still wanted to celebrate with them. I always love getting together will everyone. All my friends together. I always smile big inside when thinking about it... as I have wonderful and special friends... but they come from all different seasons and stages in my life. So when all those differences come together for me... it's a pretty amazing time!! And it makes my heart smile a lot!! So I was able to celebrate with these specials of mine on the Friday before I left for my big trip! We went to Crave in Midtown Crossing. I love Midtown Crossing... it may be one of my favorite parts of Omaha. I was hoping to sit outside, but it ended up being chilly and windy out... so we sat inside. BUT to my surprise, they had a small little band playing. LIVE MUSIC!! We all were laughing that they knew it was for my birthday, as I absolutely LOVE LIVE MUSIC!! It made my night for sure. What a great surprise! And I warned everyone... it's a rule that they have to take a picture with me for my birthday!! :)

A little birthday video! :)

Live Music is the best!

Special couple... met her through working in ICU together.

Those special friendships that started back in high school.

Newest friends... a few from our Catholic book club!

This guy is always there for a sporting event.. or when I need his truck! :) or a beer!!

Omaha friends... don't know what I'd do without them!

This guy... not sure how to even start.. but a best friend, a dad, a role model, an inspiration, the person who taught me everything I know about being a nurse! But is there for every joy and sadness too!! Loves!!

So it was the perfect night!!! I couldn't ask for better friends! I am so grateful to God for placing so many special people in my life! I love them all!!

Then I went to Spain, and Portugal, and France, and Africa... I'd say that would have to be a pretty good birthday! Have some Sangria's in Spain to celebrate??!! yes, please! :)
So hear goes.... my birthday morning started in Santander, Spain. Right along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, literally 2 blocks from the water! Pretty darn amazing! I woke up early, as wanted to get in a run before we traveled that day. So the early morning run started around 6am, with two very special friends, Tony & Kate, who loved running too. It was perfect! Running along the coast, listening to the water hit the shore... and then a big surprise.. was there to watch the sun rise... from complete darkness, to the colors slowly appearing-- the pinks, yellows, oranges, reds-- just beyond the ocean in the sky, along the cliffs, and reflecting on the water. Sunrises... one of my favorites!! I just knew it was a big hug from Jesus and Mary saying "Happy Birthday" "I love you" "Have the best day!"

my running partner in crime

This lady plans our trips.. she amazes me so much!

my roommate... so glad she had her camera with her to capture the sunrise!

loving the day already!

This!!

Can you see me out there??

These colors....

Priceless!!! God sure can paint a beautiful canvas!!

Then after getting ready and packed for the day... I went down to breakfast. I only told a few of the people on the group that it was my birthday that day, so I did get a few more Happy Birthdays as filling my plate up with all sort of yummies. So went to sit with a group, and Fr Don was there, and he stood up, and announced to the group (there was probably at least 40 of us there) that it was a very special day, that it was my birthday. And then everyone there went on to sing me "Happy Birthday" along with other tables from other groups that were traveling. It made me feel so special. :) Then we walked a few blocks as a group, to have Mass that morning before leaving. The little church was called St Rocqo. I got to read the readings at the Mass that day. It was special too.

St. Rocqo

inside the church

Words cannot express the gratitude to Jesus for this very special friendship.

Then we got in the bus, and started driving toward France. We were going to be in Lourdes by that evening. I couldn't wait! The place I have wanted to visit ever since I was a little girl, watching and learning about the story of St. Bernadette and our Blessed Mother Mary. To be in the place that Mary appeared to a little girl, who didn't know who She was, but trusted Her and listened and prayed. Anyways, on the bus trip, we started it with saying a rosary all together, for Mary to keep us safe and protect us, and be with us. And then I got to sit with Fr Don for the day on the bus-- it was the best. You see, every day, we all move around and sit in different places. So we can talk and get to know everyone. And since our trip started, I never got to sit with Fr yet... and so I was so excited! As I love it when we can talk, really talk, about life, about joys, about struggles... just about everything and anything. It's one of the things I thank Jesus for so much, to have that very special friend that has taught me so much, shares so much wisdom, loves Jesus so much, and just loves to laugh and have fun!! To be like everyone else!! And laugh and laugh we did too along the way!! It was so so great!!

When we got into France, before we arrived at Lourdes, we stopped at a winery called Cave de Gan Jurancon. We (the bus driver) kinda got a little lost on the route, and so it took us a little longer, but it ended up being great as we got to drive through the beautiful countryside... the French style homes with shutters, stones, lines. So many colors of green everywhere, driving along the ocean, and seeing the Pyrenees Mountains with the snow cap tops! It is an absolutely beautiful world out there!!

Some more of the picturesque countryside and winery!

Bus fun!!

Or maybe trouble! ;)

So much wine!!! :)

Love these special, special ladies!!

Next stop on my birthday.... LOURDES!!! Such a small, quaint little town..... but so many people! I was so blown away by how many come here each day, all year long, to be in the presence of Mary, or Jesus, of the power of miracles, of amazing grace all around! It really can't be put into words. That night, a few of us went to partake in the candle light procession. This is something that is so hard to describe, it still gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Thousands of people come out at dusk, and have candles lit, and process around the grotto, the church, and the huge open area in front. (this area is close to 3-4 football fields would be my guess) Thousands process around, reciting the rosary out loud. Each five Hail Mary's is lead by a different language, and everyone joins in that last half in their own language out loud. That is one of the beautiful things of the Catholic Church. It's united... no matter where one is from. We can all pray together, in different languages, all together. Then in between each Mystery, we all sang "Ave, Ave Marie" together. It was breathtaking! Indescribable. The presence of Jesus and Mary, and the holiness, and the peacefulness, and the grace and mercy all around. They joy. The beginning of the procession were people all in wheelchairs, coming to the Sacred place in hope of healing, whether Jesus grants them a miracle of physical healing, or of healing of heart... of hope, of forgiveness, of peace.

Lourdes, France

The Church built above the grotto!

The people who lead the song, "Ave Marie" and where the rosary is lead on the loud speakers.

See all the people and candles lining the top, and stairway down.

Rain or shine :)

Trying to show how amazingly big the church was!

Special, special ladies!!

The Grotto

You can see the little grotto in the right hand lower corner... it's incredible!!

Special memories!!

"I am the Immaculate Conception"

Love!!

Unbelievable!!

Short video of our procession and song.... beautiful!!

Thank you our Blessed Mother!!

Lastly... the reason for the title of this post... "The Gift" At supper on my birthday night, we were all there laughing and reminising about the day so far. When they brought out a little cake with a sparkling candle, and everyone sang me "Happy Birthday" again, and gave me a little gift... it was the most special. I might of even had tears... as it was that... the simple gift, that meant so very much to me!! Everyone taking the time to sign their names, to wish me special blessings on my birthday, the love that was put into it. I will treasure it forever. To be surrounded by so much love by so many people! For the graces I received that special day, to be in such a Holy place, for the gifts God has given me to share with so many others. It really was a day I will never forget! Thank you all!! :)