Repost from "Whatever It Is, God Is Bigger"

Yesterday, about 3:30 pm, I received a call from my oldest son, I was still at work and was right in the middle of assisting one of our resident Psychiatrists with some urgent computer needs. I told my son that I would call him back as I could not speak to him at that moment. Time went by, and I'm still assisting the resident Psychiatrist at least half an hour, and at 4:10, I received a text message from my son that he was being taken to the hospital for stitches. *(Pictures posted are of my son... doing what he loves best! I LOVE YOU SON!)




Well, being a mother, I panicked and my heart dropped! Understand too that this is my 26 year old son, and is very well known for skateboarding. I knew that his brother and a friend were visiting him in Austin and somehow I just knew that it had to be a related injury to skateboarding or his work, (I was leaning more towards the skateboarding though). Needless to say, I had to call him immediately and find out the details of his trip to the hospital and the seriousness of his injuries.




My son kept trying to tell me he was OK, while at the same time, explaining to me that as he was coming down a half pipe, he lost his balance and fell face first, shattering his right prescription eyeglass lens, which resulted in cutting him up by his eyebrow, scrapes around his face, bruises I'm sure as well. I was cringing and feeling, literally, his pain. I was being a "mommy"... My son finally had to pass the phone to their friend so that he could ease my worries. Needless to say, I did have a few words with God at that moment, but I went home that evening and lifted my children in prayer.



More here

A New Addition To Sugar Cat

After much contemplation and praying, I have created a new blog, one that will help me personally with my continued journey in my faith and hopefully touch some lives that may read it as well... It's been up since February, and I originally started announcing it at that time, but something deep inside was telling me to hold off until I got a grasp of where I was going with it. It's still in the work in progress phase, but I'm working on it. Another side to Sugar Cat... I'm opening up here, but I have been very blessed in the last two years, extremely blessed, more than I even deserve. I'm very thankful for where my life is right now, very thankful and very happy...

Whatever It Is, God Is Bigger

Jesus turned around and said to her, "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment.

Mathew 9:22 NLT

*It's still in the process of being shaped and formed, comments are always welcomed.

Ash Wednesday

I remember growing up, and although we weren't brought up as what some would refer to as "hardcore Catholics", we would attend church on particular holidays and I always remember attending church dressed up in a pretty dress and lace doily covering my head. I also remember the day we would go and have something black placed on our forehead and watching many Catholics walking around with this black mark on their forehead as well. I never really knew what the symbolic meaning behind it was, and still to this. I also remember being told that we had to give up something that we enjoyed, loved, brought us pleasure. Well, since growing up and on my own, I tried to pass on the tradition and religious practice with my kids, but I felt like I was passing something on that even I could not explain to my kids the meaning behind it. I had and have felt like a bad Catholic.

I’m determined to get back on track with my religion… to learn as much as possible, to get back closer to God. I strayed as the Shephard at times loses one of his lambs. I had been lost in the last eight years… I’ve made my way back and was accepted with open arms. So I’m here to learn and pass along to my kids the right information. I don’t have all the answers, but I know I’m on the right track by asking questions and reading to enlighten myself….

So…. What am I giving up for Lent you might ask???

Well….

COFFEE.....

And any, I repeat… “ANY” food that I take comfort in…
Yes, the almighty Gummi Bears, Sour Patch Candies, Chips, anything that I am known to eat for comfort during those stressful times. (PC ought to like this adventure… lol…)

What is the meaning and purpose of Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is a wake-up call. Ash Wednesday hits us squarely between the eyes, forcing us to face mortality and sinfulness. We hear Scripture readings that are urgent and vivid. We have black ashes rubbed into our foreheads. We recite a Litany of Penitence that takes our breath away, or should. It is a tough day, but take heart! This is one religious day that won’t fall into the clutches of retailers. There aren’t any Hallmark cards celebrating sin and death; no shop windows are decked out with sackcloth and ashes.

We have forty precious days to open ourselves up most particularly to God, to examine ourselves in the presence of one who created us, knows us, and loves us. We have forty days to face ourselves and learn to not be afraid of our sinfulness.

Lent is about mortality and transformation. We begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday with the sign of the cross smeared on our foreheads with ashes as the words are spoken over us, "Dust thou art, and to dust thou wilt return." We begin this season of Lent not only reminded of our death, but also marked for death.

There is nothing pretty about dust.…To call someone dust in any other context would be fightin' words. Don't call me dirt. So why do we do this strange thing on this day. Remember, you are nothing but dust. What is this about?

First, this day reminds us of our creation. From Genesis 2, the second creation story in Genesis:

In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,when no plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no oneto till the ground... then the Lord God formed man from the dustof the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life andthe man became a living being. You know, it doesn't matter who you are, others can find fault. If you work hard, people will say you're uptight. If you enjoy life, people will say you're lazy. If you're wealthy, people will think you used and abused others to become rich. If you're poor, people will look down on you, pity you, and assume you are incompetent. It doesn't matter who you are, people can always find fault; they can always find a way to put you down….

The deep truth of Ash Wednesday —all those judgments do not matter…. We are human beings, dust, beloved of God; we—each one of us—are of ultimate worth….We are created for eternity! What is someone's criticism compared to that? We are free, free of others' judgment.… We spend so much energy on things that don't matter: how we look—what people think of us—what we have or what others have— if we will get a promotion—whose sports team is going to win. We spend so much energy on things that don't matter.…

This, of course, is why Lent is a period of self-examination and penance. We need to stop and look at our lives—remember what we are made of, remember where we are going—and let go of all those things that don't really matter, all those things that get in the way of loving God, loving others, and being loved by God and by others.

More here...

Catholic Encyclopedia - Ash Wednesday

What’s the reason for ashes on Ash Wednesday?

Catholic Online - Lent

I THREW IT OUT ~

Last week I threw out Worrying,

it was getting old and in the way.

It kept me from being me;

I couldn't do things my way.

I threw out those Inhibitions;

they were just crowding me out.

Made room for my New Growth,

got rid of my old dreams and doubts.

I threw out a book on MY PAST

(didn't have time to read it anyway).

Replaced it with New Goals,

started reading it today.

I threw out childhood toys

(remember how I treasured them so)?

Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too,

threw out the one from long ago.

Bought in some new books too,

called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.

Threw out I might, I think and I ought.

WOW, You should've seen the dust.

I ran across an OLD FRIEND,

haven't seen him in a while.

I believe his name is GOD,

Yes, I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning

and added some things Himself.

Like PRAYER, HOPE and FAITH,

Yes I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing

and placed it at the front door.

I FOUND IT - its called PEACE.

Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I've got my house looking nice.

Looks good around the place.

For things like Worry and Trouble

there just isn't any place.

Its good to do a little house cleaning,

get rid of the old things on the shelf.

It sure makes things brighter;

maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

~Author Unknown~

Saturday Thoughts

I had so much to say, and I lost it all, ALL OF IT, due to my not being familiar with the beta version of blogger. My fault and that makes it more aggravating.

To put it all as brief as I can, My last day with the school district was yesterday, Friday. It was a long, emotional and tearful week, one that had me collecting my thoughts to bid my farewells to many good people, friends and co-workers that I've come to know in the last 7 to 10 years. It's been a long journey for me with the district, almost seven years in Technology not counting my year as the secretary for the Technology Dept., two to three years as a school bus driver, let's not forget the years I spent as a lunch room monitor and the countless wonderful years as a PTA volunteer, room mom and board member, all while my kids grew up in the district. That's about 20 years that I'm walking away from, but with many, many wonderful memories.

Friday though, was a day of reminiscing with co-workers. A farewell breakfast was held in my honor at my school, I was given a Beanie Baby Bulldog with an engraved dog tag that reads: "Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog", a card signed with many well wishes and lets not forget the $100 Gift Card to Palai Royal, Bealls, Stage!!! (I'm going shopping today people!) Sincerely though, the most precious gift given to me was a hand carved cross that was made for me by the librarians husband at her request. It's beautiful and that gift will go with me to my next job and sit at my new desk. It will remind me daily of the TRUE love that does exist in this world. Thank you Coy... and her card was even a perfect reminder of how I try to live my life...

Work like you
don't need money,
love like you've
never been hurt.
sing as if
no one can hear you,
and dance like
no one's watching
Live in the moment,
and let the moment
take your breath away.

I was taken to lunch by fellow women technicians that worked at my level (Intermediate schools). I was given a gag gift, keyboard with the words spelled out in the keys "Got Vitamins?" Plus a bottle of Nurtilite Natural B Complex. This one technician swears by them, she takes them to keep from getting frazzled and be calmer at difficult moments. When she would get "pissy" or "bossy" at our meetings and projects, everyone would ask her if she had taken her "vitamins". I guess she figures I might need them... lol... They go with me as well... :)

All in all, this ending to a long chapter and the new beginning to what proves to be a wonderful journey can be confirmed more perfect as posted by Carried By Christ. This is what got me through all of this ending and new beginning.
Friday, December 01, 2006 Proverbs 3:5-6

My love to all who stood by me and knew that this new road is what is right for me, thank you for the support and for believing in me. Most of all, thank you Lord! Thank you!! I get so tearful thinking of how foolish I have been in the past, but the past is now the past and only God got me through it
all. I was never really alone!

A Time To Be Thankful for Answered Prayers

Well, my prayers have been answered... I was offered the job and I accepted!

I went for my second interview with the clinic on Wednesday and even though I faced some rattling delays getting there, management waited for me.

The interview went very well, but as I understand now and even since my first job interview, I had the personality and image they were looking for, but they had concerns with my IT experience...

1. Why was I still at the same position for the last six years?

2. My commute.

3. I was not exuding a heavy IT experience as the other applicant.

I forged in to the interview and I was myself. There was confidence in the director of technology that I could sell myself. It feels good to be believed in, to feel the confidence and support from all those near and far and dear to me.

I was able to ease their concerns and validate them as well. I can see why any employer would ask, "Why haven't you advanced in the last five to six years?". I some what have advanced, I've gone from a Tech I to a Tech II. I have not been able to advance to a Tech III or IV due to complications with management, not my abilities with my job. That's a whole different story, but not one I want to hash over and dwell in. It's the past, and behine me...

I left there confident. I was told that I would hear something back next week around Wednesday... In fact, when asked how soon I could start, I told them two weeks. I wanted to give my current employer the courtesy of getting my school in order before leaving. I even joked with them and informed them that I was off all next week for Thanksgiving Holidays (I'll miss the school designated holidays, but not the pay!!! - lol) and that I could just put a sleeping bag in the server room and go through training while I was off.

I got the call yesterday from HR at 1pm and I have to say, my heart stopped for a few seconds upon seeing the phone number. Immediately, my thoughts were

1. they need to confirm some more information from the interview

or the obvious

2. they made their decision.

Upon the beginning of the conversation, I immediately thought they had gone with the other applicant... I was wrong! It took all that I could to contain my emotions and remain professional, but... as soon as I hung up, I was dancing in my office and running down the hallway to the library to share the great news with two specific co-workers! I was dancing... The pay is more than I was expecting! After calling PC with my great news and having a good laugh with him, I finally composed myself enough to call my supervisor and submit my two week notice. My last day is Dec. 1st and my first day with the new company is Dec. 4th.

PC and I went to an after hour get together with dept. co-workers and let me tell you what... Good news travels fast!!!

I'm ecstatic... relieved... hopeful... and yet... I'm a bit sorrowful... a bit melancholy... nervous... and scared.

and now...

I'm

AND

I just want to say a BIG...

to everyone who prayed for me and supported me in my search for a new beginning. I have prayed long and hard for six months or more now, and after placing my life in God's hands... my prayers have been answered. I see alot of changes in my future, and they are all for the better!

As PC pointed out... This past week has been quite a week of good things for me... I finally went through my CHL class and got through it, awaiting my license and now a new job!