Daddy

It seems strange to me that life goes on when mine and my families have come to a stand still. Logically, yes, life goes on but when you lose someone so dear to you your life actually stops for a brief period of time. When I feel overcome with sadness I can hear my Father saying, "don't be ridiculous, life does go on and so should you. Live every breath as if it were your last. Praise God for that breath and put a smile on your face. Give, give and give to others so they may smile and live with joy. Not everyone has the precious gift that you have been given..to know that we are living for Heaven and nothing else matters. Not that game or that not so nice person or that problem we deem so great that it occupies our time,time that is so easily taken away from our Creator. Look at the good in everyone because it does exist and if someone is so far out there then spend time in prayer for that person but never let that person's problems take you away from God...never speak ill of them. Recognize the problem and then move on...always forward!!! Your time here is limited and best spent living for Heaven. Yes you will hurt and you will carry your crosses but carry them well because you have been given the gift of Faith that so many claim to obtain but very few truly have. Lean on your Faith and know that we will be together in the mansion I have prepared for all of us. Pray, Hope and don't worry."
Thank you Daddy, I love you always and forever!!!!

Daddy

My Father, Gerald C. McHugh passed from this life into eternity on Friday, October 24, 2008. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his six kids and his wife. May Preptual light shine upon him and may his soul and the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace. Later when I am able I will write more on my Father for now please pray for my Dad's soul and for my family that we are sustained through God's grace and mercy over the next copy of days.

Urgent Prayer request

This is my Daddy!!! He had a stroke last year and there was a point at which we thought we were going to lose him. God granted our prayer request and allowed him to stay with us for another 15 months and this was the best 15 months we have ever spent with him. The above picture was taken in Sept. of this year.
Yesterday my Dad was rushed to the hospital with what we thought was congestive heart failure. Today they ruled that out because they had found a mass near his rectal area which has metastasized to his spine. We don't know of any further infiltration and won't know until further tests are done. A bone scan is scheduled for this weekend and that will allow us to know if it has entered the bones.
If you are reading this please stop for a moment and say a prayer for my Father. He has a strong devotion to Our Lady and Padre Pio. My Dad says he is ready to go home but the pain will be unbearable and maybe Our Lord doesn't want him yet. I pray for comfort and peace and when the time comes for him to leave us I pray he will be in the arms of Jesus and Mary. I love you Daddy!!

Blogging

Danielle Bean has an article in Faith and Family that gives us something to ponder on about blogging.
I can see how blogging can become impersonal and cut the human aspect of communicating, with that said I have to tell you that I try to blog in moderation. Everything in moderation is my motto. I have recently started my blog because of all you wonderful Moms out there in cyber world. You have given me so much help with homeschooling, Faith, child rearing, housekeeping, cooking...the list goes on. I am so very grateful for this wealth of knowledge and for all of you wonderful women. If we place God first then all else will fall into its perspective place. God bless all of you and thank you!!!

Family

Another picture from our wonderful weekend with Rachel.

St. Francis' Feast Day

We went out to see Rachel at college this past weekend for homecoming. They really had a full schedule for us. Saturday they had a Festival in honor of St. Francis complete with a Medieval theme and games. The boys got wooden swords and the girls had their tiara's plus small little wooden swords as my daughter graciously told us,"They are dainty, lady-like swords."

The most fun was spending time with Rachel. How I miss her!!! When I am at her college I am filled with peace knowing that this is the best place for her and she is filled with such joy, the joy that can only come from God. But there is still a void in my day. It only makes our times together even more precious. I love you Rach!!

Saint Therese's Feast Day

We have been attending the Triduum at the Carmelite Monastery in the city for St. Therese's Feast Day. It has been such a blessing, to pray in the same church as the Sisters of Carmel. When you enter you are filled with an overwhelming sense of peace. You know it is here that God meets these lovely, holy ladies. During communion you get a chance to see them as they come to the grate to recieve. Everyone pauses for a moment as if to stop and thank God for the gift of these cloistered nuns. My little guy was asked to serve and he was thrilled. To see him participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with several priest and the nuns behind the grate is such a beautiful blessing. Thank you my Lord for the small blessings in life.