Living Without School: Four Years Ago....

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Four Years Ago....

2009

2005

Four years ago... we moved to Sydney.We didn't want to be here, didn't want to leave our older sons behind.

Four years ago...we never imagined we would stay IN ONE HOUSE for four years. This is the longest my kids and I have EVER lived in one house.

We have been in Sydney four years. Woo hoo?....A lot has happened in those four years. Good things. Not so good things.

The kids have grown up ~ my youngest son is now thirteen!

And I have grown up, too - I even pre-heated the oven by myself last night, without being told. Definitely Woo hoo!

We have been lucky, no, blessed, here in Sydney, to find good friends, friends who care, friends who don 't judge, friends who have fun... and are lucky, no, blessed, to live in a prayerful parish with friars who support us all with prayers and good works and reverent masses.

Four years.

13 comments:

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...: Congratulations! I can't believe it's been 4 years already! Wow!; 12:53 pm
Unknown said...: Happy 4 year Anniversary!; 2:05 pm
Unknown said...: ooops I hit enter too quick.
In our home we hit 9 years! last Sept - the 11th of all days, 1999

I grew up with my dad in the Navy and lived places only a couple years so I know what you mean about feeling weird about living in the same place for so many years.; 2:09 pm
Jenny of Elefantz said...: It's been a decade since I could say we lived in the same town for 4 years - and that being the only one too! LOL!
Congrats on finding home, on being joyful in your space in the world, and on having such a great spiritual garden to bloom in.; 10:35 pm
Leonie said...: Yes, I see you all understand..I don 't know if we'll be here for ever but definitely for the enxt three years....; 11:29 pm
HomeGrownKids said...: Wow, so you'll be there for at least 7 years in total. That's great Leonie! Great that you found good friends and a church home. One day I'd like to be in 'that place'. ;)

Good onya's...the boys are obviously happy about it?; 8:29 am
Leonie said...: Yeah, I think they are.I have NEVER in my whole lfe, not even as a child, lived anywehre for 7 years so its a bit freaky, iykwim? Any news re your move?; 9:14 am
HomeGrownKids said...: Hmmm, nah, not really but it has gone from a 33.333% chance to staying here to a 60% chance of staying here for another posting...but you know what it's like: until you see it written in triplicate, nothing is really sure. lol; 9:18 am
Hopewell said...: You've come a long way, baby! [As the old Virgina Slims ads used to say.] YOu're are looking good. 4 years is a long time in a house these days. I guess that's about as long as I've lasted in each house though I was in the same city for 20 years.; 7:08 am
Leonie said...: Susan,l prayers re your move - let me know! Lisa, hope you get to stay in this house for a good long while.; 7:31 am
Fr. Benedict M. said...: Just to say that we are blessed to have you in our parish. What would we do without you!!!; 3:59 pm
Leonie said...: Wow, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you, Fr! :-); 11:56 pm
Julie said...: Leonie.....YOU WERE JUST MEANT TO BE HERE !!!!!!!!!; 9:51 am

Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.