Quiet Time and Schedules

I talked about GRACE the last time. Little did I know that I was going to need

a huge dose of it.

(1)

The kids got the "Tummy Bug". 3 days of diarrhea plus vomiting but no fever.

That was the tricky part, bringing them to the doctor was useless as there was

no fever to treat. Then we found out that it was something that you just flush

out of your system. Hydrate hydrate hydrate.

Poor kids for being sick! Poor mom and dad for the clean up that had to be done!

Claiming claiming claiming that we have nothing but healthy days ahead of us.

I have recently been trying to cultivate healthy rhythms and routines. One area

that I've been trying to work on is my own Quiet Time. As a full time mom to

two kids below five, I can tell you that it a simple-but-not-easy thing to do.

(2) Diving Office

I know some bloggers who love praying with the Divine Office and decided

to give it a try. Hmmm, not for me at this point in time. Blocking off time for 

any one task isn't just doable now. I'm looking for something that will work

well on just a few chunks of time throughout the day.   

(3) Daily Examen

The Catholic Church has so many beautiful traditions. It's nice to know that

fellow Christians have discovered that they can practice these traditions too. 

Thank you to Katherine for inspiring me to give the Daily Examen a try.

There are many ways of going about this prayer method used by St. Ignatius.
I will try to keep things simple by "praying backward through the day" and
possibly using this guide.

Click HERE if you're feeling adventurous and would like to explore more
about the The Examen.

(4) Do You REALLY Need Quiet Time?

I don't think I have the words for this yet. So here's a good read as to WHY 

you and I need Quiet Time.

(5) Thank you Lord for the reminder:

"You're more than your hands do.

You're more than your hands have.

You're more than how other hands measure you.

You are what is written on God's Hands:

Safe. Held. His. Beloved."

- A Holy Experience

Another area that I've been working on is our Family Daily Schedule.

(6) The Daily Schedule of Mother Teresa

This other post by Jennifer really made me pause and think more about 

what's been keeping me busy. And how our schedules have been as a
whole.

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Daily Schedule for the Missionaries of Charity

4:30 – 5:00: Rise and get cleaned up
5:00 – 6:30: Prayers and Mass
6:30 – 8:00: Breakfast and cleanup
8:00 – 12:30: Work for the poor
12:30 – 2:30: Lunch and rest
2:30 – 3:00: Spiritual reading and meditation
3:00 – 3:15: Tea break
3:15 – 4:30: Adoration Prayer
4:30 – 7:30: Work for the poor
7:30 – 9:00: Dinner and clean up
9:00 – 9:45: Night prayers
9:45: Bedtime

- The primary work of the Order, serving the poor, only takes place between   
8:00 – 12:30 and 4:30 – 7:30.
- There’s buffer! Notice that time for meal cleanup and getting dressed is built   
in to the schedule.
- They say that their lives are centered on God, and this schedule reflects it.   
There is time dedicated to prayer each day.
- They have a set (and early) bedtime, making time for sleep even if they feel   
like more work could be done.
- Look at how focused this schedule is! They only attempt to do two things:   
pray and work for the poor.

Just reading through the schedule made me ache for that kind of peaceful 
rhythm in my life."

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Who would have known that such a simple schedule could produce such great
works of charity? I feel challenged to simplify and find something that will produce
better fruits for our family.


Some good eats...

(7) Chicken Piccata

We've had Giada's Chicken Piccata twice this week. We rarely have the

same dinner twice in a week so that says a lot. Proportions for our piccata 

sauce were just estimates and it was served on the side. I highly recommend

serving the sauce on the side if you have little ones. Without the sauce, it's 

just fried chicken.

Joining the fun at:

Photo Credit: Martin Pettitt