Still Over There

I am still here at the moment: http://suzanneinafrica.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/choose-the-better-part/ in case you want to see what is going on and miss my writing.

Peace,

Suzanne

Leaving

I am leaving blogspot for a couple of weeks and posting a new blog instead as I write about my upcoming trip to South Africa. I have 9038 page views on this blog and I have enjoyed writing it. I am delighted that people around the world have tuned in from time to time. I thank you for reading and invite you to join me here for the next few weeks:

http://suzanneinafrica.wordpress.com/

Peace,

Suzanne

Saintly Sinner

“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” ~ Nelson Mandela

I have been reading a lot about Madiba this past eight weeks. He is a remarkable man. As his health falters again, the world watches for the man who caught our attention for so many years. How many of us have prayed for him over the past 30 or so years? His autobiography shows he is not a saint but he definitely was a man who kept on trying to do the right thing for his people. I am so very impressed with how he lived his life. The rest of us can seem very small next to the saintly sinner. He changed his nation and the world. What an inspiration!

May God bless him tonight and give him what he needs.

peace,

Suzanne

What If?

"When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her." Gospel of Luke, Chapter 7

Losing a loved one is a difficult life event that often changes everything. In today's Gospel about the widow at Nain, Christ takes her pain and transforms it. What utter joy there must have been at this miracle of raising the dead! What did her son think about for the rest of his life? He was dead and was alive again. He had the chance to change everything that he did not like about himself--to be a kinder, more loving person, to break the bonds of fear that come over all of us from time to time, to risk instead of hold back, to believe in the unbelievable, to hold fast to joy because of what he knows, and to have a heart so full of gratitude that nothing will ever seem mundane again. What if you were given a new life today? How would you spend it?

Each day we are given a new chance, where mercies abound. What will you do with this amazing opportunity?

Peace,

Suzanne

Cause of Our Joy

“Immaculate Heart of Mary, cause of our joy, pray for us.” St. Francis of Assisi

Feast Day of Our Lady today inspired me to head to mass. I have not been for a while but it felt good to be back. I thought I should do a three-week novena in thanksgiving for all that has unfolded this past year in answer to the one I did last summer. I am grateful for Mary's gentle guidance and support.

Pray for me, Mary, model of service. As I prepare to leave I asked the Monday morning prayer group to remember me in their prayers. They are faithful people and their prayers protected me during my last trip to Africa.

Happy Feast Day to all of you! How does the heart of Mary inspire you on your life's journey?

Peace,

Suzanne

Job Well Done

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I took on a task that I did not think I had a lot of skills for but thought it was time to push myself. I accepted to be a fundraising chair for a national conference being held here. We had a fabulous event tonight. Lots of the Deaf Community came out to support us and this was equally important to the planning committee as raising the funds. This brought us all the joy we needed to know we had done a job well.

When was the last time you did something that blessed you a hundredfold in return?

Peace,

Suzanne

Grateful Nightly

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer." ~ Maya Angelou

Earlier today, driving home, I was aware of how incredibly grateful I am for all that is happening in my life right now and all that has unfolded in this past year. My journey has been amazing--a trip to Singapore, a retreat at a Jesuit retreat house, along with visits to several friends in the area, my annual get-together with my former interpreting classmates in the USA, reconnecting with old friends, working hard, raising a lot of money for the upcoming interpreting conference next year, taking an amazing art course, going to Mexico, returning to university, and so many other wonders. I will kneel and express my gratitude at the One who gives it all generously.

As you lay your head on your pillow tonight, what are you grateful for?

Peace,

Suzanne