of course Padraig, my main focus is the higher things, meaning my spiritual life. that is most important. I am being ambitious at work because I can not afford to pay for an apartment or even half the rent right now, and I have been asked to leave where I am currently living. I am single and have a need to support myself. so, I have no choice but to continue to strive for a better paying job to at least provide a roof over my head. Trust me, I am still last in this world and am not focused on climbing the corporate ladder...just focused self sufficiency and trusting in God to get me there.
I am delighted to hear Potatosack's good news. I know all about employment and financial problems. I am praying for a quick resolution to the lack of a mentor and early further promotion. I just wanted to add my own ( less important) good news and gratitude. We have an apartment that we bought to supplement our pensions. Our first tenant sub-let our property to a drug dealer who didn't pay the rent and totally trashed the place. It took us six months and a lot of money in fees to get possession. We spent a couple of weeks and a lot more money sorting the place out. We advertised it and about a dozen people responded. Only three made appointments to view and only one of them turned up, he had pets so we couldn't let to him. Then nothing for weeks. I went to Adoration and said 'Look, Lord we are good landlords, we need the income and there is someone out there who needs good landlords and a cheap place to live. Just connect us to them, Lord, please. The very next day a charity contacted us about a vulnerable man with psychological problems who urgently needed a place to live. We have a guarantor for the rent and so know that we will be paid. He was enormously grateful to have his own little place. Job done, thanks Lord.
I have to just say thank you to God. I know I should wait until Lent is over but something so wonderful happened to me yesterday that I have to tell it. I was only able to go to the last Mass (7 p.m.) yesterday. I decided to go to the Church a little early so that I could say my novenas. When I got to the Church it was totally locked up. Most times that would send me into a panic I would not know what to do whether to go home kicking myself for not getting Mass in the morning) or wander around or wait. But last night for the first time in my life there was no panic inside me. I was totally calm and knew what to do. Wait and pray. All I could think about was something I read about where Our Lady (I think) said "your spirit will remain calm". I never knew until yesterday just what being "clam" meant. and it was the most beautiful feeling.
I must give glory to God, as he continues to slowly re-build my life!! As most on this forum know, I've struggled with getting a career job and being able to support myself for the past 4 - 5 years. I recently got my current retail job in October, and was grateful for full time hours and benefits. I was quickly promoted to a department led within a month, so felt even better. What also attracted me to this company and retail position is the fact that the product designers and manufacturers for the products we sell are right in the floors above the store. My goal is to transfer my skills from my previous career, and use them in the product operations group upstairs. Another key to making my goal possible is a unique mentoring program, where you are matched with an executive to help grow your career at the company. Well, despite the fact that the matching of executives to people only happens 2 times each year, with the next available time sometime in the summer...they went ahead and found me a mentor early!! After I described my goal of what I wanted to do, they contacted the director of product operations and she said she'd be happy to mentor me! How perfect is that! So, I give thanks and glory to God for continuing to re-build my life. I still need your prayers, as I am still living with family and need to move out. I plan on living with my mom, but need another promotion to carry my own weight with the rent, so please continue to pray for me...but today we give thanks and glory to God!
Prayers going up Cathy. I suppose the way Goid has worked it you will appreciate all the more going up in the Elevator when for a long time He had you going down. The more time goes by the more I see that everything happens for a reason.
I want to thank God and His Blessed Mother St Joseph and all the Angels and Saints for my daughter in law who has many crosses as her husband has many health concerns along with other crosses in her life but today when the archbishop came to her parish mistakenly for Confirmation -- which only take place every 2 years-- he was to be there next year--and everyone was surprised even the priest--- you can imagine- she had left laundry all over the living room -- said it was a mess-- but guess what she did this humble soul. Since or was Mother ' Day in this little community she walked up to him and said " Come to my house for dinner everything in this town is booked up so he, the priest and a seminarian went for dinner-- she got everything cleared up in time and my son said "What a dinner she made". This made my Mother's Day! And she is a convert at that! Puts me to shame.
I must give thanks and glory to God and thanks to those on the forum who have been praying for me. As most of you know, I have been living with family for almost 4 years now and need to move out. My mom and I have been looking for an apartment and the search has been stressful and discouraging. But thanks be to God - He has provided once again! My mom and I found a great place to live that is just perfect for our needs. I am very conscience that God is physically moving us to where He wants us to be and be with as great events will begin soon. I had this in my mind as I was looking at places, and nothing felt right. Then we found this place. It is a half house...and the occupents of the other half of the house are 2 nuns!! That made it feel as if it was from God! Also, interesting note. In the back yard, there is a waterfall / spring, which is part of a garden. Apperently the guy moving out was really into gardening and he had it made. I believe the water is from a nearby river, but I will have to ask. Anyway, the thought occurred to me that if this is a prayful house, perhaps that will be a drinkable water source when everything hits the fan. I would never presume anything...but God will be providing miracles like that I hope! Anyway, thank you Jesus, our dear Mother in heaven, and I even think my dad pulled a few strings too!! All I can say is I am very relieved and a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Work continues to go well, and I am hopeful I can obtain a position soon that will allow me to carry my own weight with rent expenses. I am not there yet but I have hope and faith. My life, after a serious and never ending nose dive, is finally looking up and I have no one but God to thank!
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Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in thee!
A few months ago I asked for prayers for a baby with cancer in his throat. When I asked about him yesterday I was told that the last report we'd heard was that his Dad had recently brought him to football training From this I can only assume the baby is vastly improved, and about to be introduced to Gaelic football - so he may need even more prayers now - he lives in Kildare! Thank you for our prayers.
Well, My family drives south today in preparation to fly out of Newark, NJ, for Rome tomorrow. Our son, Benjamin, will be ordained a priest on Saturday, along with 33 other Legionaries! Please keep them in your prayers! My son's been like a racehorse for 17 years, single-minded, looking forward to the finish line of priesthood. Actually, it's just the beginning. Praise God who continues to raise up vocations! I'll send you some pics! And, of course, I'll even get to personally meet Padraig! What more could a displaced Irishman like me ask for?! Forward in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
