Oh Baby!!

Just a little happy moment to share....

When two families can come together, and then all of a sudden you have 9 sisters instead of 4.... it's a very special and beautiful gift!!!

Oh Baby... Is there going to be 11 girls?? Or one boy to get loved by so many aunts!! :)

With the beautiful mama!! :)

My sister in law and brother are going to have a baby in February, and we are all so excited!! It's going to be the first niece or nephew on our side of the family!  The first baby. This baby is going to have 9 aunts to give it soooo much love!!! I just can't wait!!  We had her baby shower a few weekends ago, and it's so fun when "All my sisters and me" get together!

In God we Trust

Well if you haven't heard... We have a new President.... Mr Donald Trump.

I, with millions of others, cast my vote yesterday, what I felt was right with my conscience. When I walked out of the poling place, I couldn't help but think about the first time women voted. The first time Americans voted. I felt a pride of being able to vote.. I can't imagine what those first people felt. It's pretty incredible what we have when one thinks about it.

Then comes the watching and waiting--- as I tuned in to some of the election process last night, I picked up a theme from the reporters... No one thought he could win. No one thought he would win. He took everyone, including myself, by complete surprise, and he won by more than a few electoral votes.  I was just waiting for the moment when Hilary's numbers would start rising. But that never happened. And quite honestly, I was still surprised this morning, when I looked at my phone, and it said Trump was going to be our 45th President. It is done. He won fair and square. But I know there are a lot of people very upset, very sad, in shock. I am personally disappointed in Nebraska as a state, to say yes to having the death penalty reinstated. That it's okay for us to decide when people should die. Hopefully it won't take away the need for change to our criminal justice system instead.  But what makes me more sad, is the hate, the anger that is going around out there in person and through social media. It just saddens me. We have a great country. We, the people, are what makes it great! Not some person that gets to call themselves the president. Sure, the president is very important... but he's just one person. Our country is made up of millions of people. Millions of great people. Not everyone is bad. There is so much goodness around. Just look-- find it everyday. Be a part of it everyday. Be that kindness and love that everyone is so desperately searching for. I think Saint Mother Teresa says it best, "What can you do to promote peace? Go home, and Love your family." A friend also said today, "Love is free. We don't have to cast a vote for love, we can give it away daily. Everyone of us has enough love in us to power this country. Love you brothers and sisters, no matter who you believe they voted for." So what is done, is done... the four years haven't started yet. Have a little faith. Give the guy a chance, give the House and Senate a chance. Don't start pointing fingers. I'm pretty sure that no matter what sex, race, religion, etc.. we all want the same and that is peace, kindness, and love to each other. A safe place to live and grow. Equal opportunity for all. And that freedom that we are so blessed and grateful to have! We can still make a difference. Be that water of grace.

So I'm just going to say it... I am not a fan of Trump. There is a lot about him that makes me nervous. He's not my number one pick. But I have never and will never support Clinton. That's who I am, and I am comfortable with saying that. Someone who thinks that it's okay to destroy Human Life... I just can't live with that. If you can, then okay, I'm not going to hate you because of it. But know my mind will not change when it comes to life. When I think back to when all this was starting, when Trumps name started to be thrown around. I asked my brother-in-law (who's pretty up in this politics stuff-- in a very good way), if he thought Trump would make it. And he said no. But he said, if he would by chance be elected... then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. As then it would force the House and the Senate to do their job, and do it well. Trump's a business man, and I have to have faith that he will get the right people in there to help him. Here is a letter from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

I read something by Mel Robbins today. When explaining to her children why so many would chose Trump, she said, "Americans felt forgotten. Forgotten by the media, the elites, the government, by the world as it changes, innovates, and evolves. Trump represented hope to them." They wanted change. Maybe we can help others not to feel forgotten. Practice the corporal works of mercy a little more.... (Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Shelter the Homeless, Visit the Sick, Visit the Prisoners, Bury the Dead, Give Alms to the Poor), and maybe those who feel forgotten, will feel a little more loved instead.

Just remember, God is in control. God is the true King of all. We need to trust. We need to put all our worries, our anxieties, our fears... lay them at the feet of Jesus's cross. Trust that He always has and always will be with us and take care of us. Have faith. Trust. Have courage. Be strong. Just like our United States motto says, starting back in 1956, "In God we Trust."

Lastly, don't stop praying. Just because the election is done, doesn't mean our prayers stop. Our country, our government leaders need prayers all the more. From the blog of Life Lived Beautifully, "I think St Paul would tell us to get on our knees, cry out to God, and pray for His people to rise up and love others radically. I think he would encourage us to flourish and thrive even if a season of persecution was upon us-- after all, he rejoiced in prison and his sufferings. So we pray. We seek God's face and listen to His voice." 



A prayer that the Archdiocese shared today that I will share with you.

PRAYER AFTER AN ELECTION

God of all nations,

Father of the human family,

we give you thanks for the freedom we exercise

and the many blessings of democracy we enjoy

in these United States of America. 

We ask for your protection and guidance

for all who devote themselves to the common good,

working for justice and peace at home and around the world.We lift up all our duly elected leaders and public servants, 

those who will serve us as president, as legislators and judges,

those in the military and law enforcement.

Heal us from our differences and unite us, O Lord,

with a common purpose, dedication, and commitment to achieve liberty and justice

in the years ahead for all people,

and especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.

Amen.

Sundays

Yesterday, Sunday... was a beautiful day. It was great, relaxing. Why you ask? Sundays happen every week. Well, with my job as a nurse... I work many of those Sundays. I hardly get a Sunday where I can just enjoy the day. Take in the beauty of the day.  It was perfect. I loved enjoying the nature, God's creation. the sun, the birds, the leaves falling. I loved this fall day. And I loved watching all the people out and about too... all the families taking the day to be with each other, to find joy in each other. Thank you Jesus for creating Sundays. It's like that country song by Craig Morgan, "That's What I Love about Sundays."

That's what I love about Sunday:

Sing along as the choir sways;

Every verse of Amazin' Grace,

An' then we shake the Preacher's hand.

Go home, into your blue jeans;

Have some chicken an' some baked beans.

Pick a back yard football team,

Not do much of anything:

That's what I love about Sunday. 

Here are some pictures of the beautiful day! So grateful for this much needed day! :)

In the serenity of the day... 

Around beautiful ConAgra park.

The colors on these tress... a friend recently told me, "God could have just made the leaves wilt and fall off, I'm so glad He decided to make them change colors first!!"

Pedestrian Bridge

Missouri River

Decided to take a stroll into Iowa! 

This is my absolute favorite spot in Omaha... the reflection of the lights on the water, the trees... ahhh.. I love our little city of Omaha!!

Life, Liberty, & Happiness

I debated about whether or not to write about this... the big "E" word, that everyone cannot wait for the day to pass. To be able to move forward, to start working with whatever the result will be. Yes.. that big day is tomorrow. Election day! And I decided to say a few words. Or at least share some words that others have shared with me, that has helped me not be so anxious about this election.

Yes... about 2-3 months ago, I started to realize.... wow, this is who we have to vote for... Candidate A & B. You got to be kidding right?! I became very anxious about this. About what could come if either one of these candidates became elected. And all the negative thoughts went constant through my head. Someone asked me, "What would be the worst thing that could happen?" I thought on that... and responded... "Losing the freedom to worship my Catholic faith." And I am still a little nervous about some of those thoughts. But over the past months, I have prayed a lot about it. For Jesus and Mary to protect us, bring me peace, and help the right candidate become president. I learned from St. Faustina and St. John Paul II to trust more. I repeated to myself many times, "Jesus I Trust in You." And I honestly believe that has helped take the anxiety away from me. I have come to the realization that yes, Jesus is with us, and will always be with us, and will help us no matter what happens. If we are faithful to Jesus, He will be faithful to us. Hold on to that... it has helped me. And just keep praying. :)

Below is a homily that our priest, Fr. Stillmunks, had a week ago. He talked at all Masses, and I am grateful that our church recorded it, and want to share with you what he said. It's so good!!
A few take-a-ways....
1) We NEED to vote!! It's our moral obligation and DUTY to vote! There are many other important topics besides President that you can vote on. Educate yourself and vote!
2) We have to vote Against the Intrinsic Evils (Abortion, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Embryonic Destructive Research, Genocide, Attack against Human Dignity)... it's a must! We not only have our earthly citizenship responsibilities, but we also have our heavenly citizenship responsibilities. Our duty to defend life. Our ability to respond Yes to Jesus when He asks us how we followed him.
3) Pray... Pray...  This gave me the most hope. Jesus and our Blessed Mother are so powerful. Beyond our understanding and comprehension. Miracles can and will happen. Look at the conversion of Russia. Of Poland. We, as a Catholic community, may become smaller as freedoms may be taken away from us. But as I'm reading about Pope John Paul II right now, and all Poland as a Catholic community went through when it was ruled by communism (it's awe-inspiring to me, as so much of what the communist govt regulated, laws--is completely happening now Again--- you would think we could learn from the past)  But even with all of that.. it is giving me hope. That things may get worse, more than likely will get much harder. That the church may get smaller. But there is still going to be strong people, strong Catholics out there all over the world, that will defend this faith, defend this freedom, defend what we most strongly believe in! And the Catholic church will become stronger!

One more thing... I dare you to make a difference. I dare you to take a step. I dare you to make history. 192 years since this was done. I dare you... to vote for not the lesser of two evils. But for a candidate that your conscience can be okay with. That your heart can be okay with. Write him in even. Be the difference. Be the change. If a third candidate could take away enough electoral votes to prevent Candidate A or B from gaining 270 electoral votes... then the House of Representatives would decide the tie breaker. This hasn't happened since 1824! And it has been 1968 since a third party has actually won electorial votes. BUT.. don't let that stop you! Don't let that discourage you! Amazing things can happen. Look,... the Chicago Cubs made history by ending a 108 year drought of winning the World Series. Maybe it could be the same? :) Just a thought.
With that being said though.... there is a lot at stake in this election. Some people said it's just four years. But I say.... no, it's much more than that! The person that becomes president will make changes, it's a part of life.  It goes with the job. And some of those changes and decisions will take effect for years to come. There is a big chance that 4-5 new Supreme Court Justices will be chosen within the next four years.... and they have so much power of the laws of our land. They decide what follows the constitution and what doesn't. Look back to 1973... Roe vs Wade... the Supreme Court legalized abortion and 43 years later we are still trying to overrule that. So what I'm saying is basically I don't know what's right.... but I need to trust that God will take care of us. He is mighty and good and nothing escapes His control. Hold on to that peace He only brings. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 24:26

Lastly... let's not forget the Founding Fathers... the ones who started this Great Country. The ones who fought for the freedom we have today, believing in the "Supreme Judge of the World" and trusted "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence."

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.