After alot of hard work the Kenpo boys: Kieran, Thomas and Joseph progress to the next belt. Kieran actually skipped a level and progressed onto an orange belt while Thomas and Joseph earned their orange and white belt. Both Joe and I are so very proud of the them given their dedication and hard work. Each of them practices daily and they are striving to go as far as they can in the school. They have all worked very hard and their hard work has certainly paid off.
Good Work Boys!!
Murray Clan 13!!
Claire is in the hospital.
Yes, Claire has returned to the hospital when earlier this week she developed a fever, a blood infection, and began having weakness in her arms. As a result, we went to the emergency room where she was admitted to treat her infection and undergo an MRI in order to check the brain and spine. Now she is feeling much better after a week of antibiotics and rest. The MRI results indicate that there is build up in the spine and she may need to have another surgery in the near future. Since it is the summer, many doctors and surgeons are on vacation including Claire's nuerosurgeon and other nurses who have been so helpful in caring for Claire.
So we wait and we pray. Claire would love to be home and able to enjoy her summer, but she is becoming very familiar with the pattern of her last year. She is also very frustrated and upset about her return, but she has accomplished a peace that accompanies her to the hospital and she offers her suffering for those in need especially her family, friends, and priests we know and love.
I want to thank all of our family and friends who have been so supportive and loving. Both Joe's parents and sister as well as my parents and siblings have been so generous and supportive and we are truly indebted to them. Be assured of our prayers and love for you and thank you so much for your prayers and love.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us!
So we wait and we pray. Claire would love to be home and able to enjoy her summer, but she is becoming very familiar with the pattern of her last year. She is also very frustrated and upset about her return, but she has accomplished a peace that accompanies her to the hospital and she offers her suffering for those in need especially her family, friends, and priests we know and love.
I want to thank all of our family and friends who have been so supportive and loving. Both Joe's parents and sister as well as my parents and siblings have been so generous and supportive and we are truly indebted to them. Be assured of our prayers and love for you and thank you so much for your prayers and love.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us!
What a Big boy!!
John Mary is now 7 1/2 months old and over 22 pounds He is starting to crawl and scoot around in his walker. All the members of the Murray clan have commented that John Mary is not a cuddly baby, not like Fulton or Joseph. John loves to be moving, and if you are holding him it won't be for too long. He will allow it for a few minutes and then he wants to go on the floor and on the move. He is a hard little guy to keep up with. But we marvel at how fast he is growing and how much joy he brings to our family. What a cutie he is and what a precious gift!!
A time for humility
We have been home from Lourdes for over two months. How very blessed we are!!!
Yes, we have had many moments of struggle, and many moments of blessings and grace. For some it is not very obvious, but for me, after being able to examine the gifts I can thank God and His mother.
We have received so many blessings in many ways that are not seen. At this time when it is truly a struggle financially for many people there are so many kind and generous folks that have helped us in our struggles. Lately I have become mendicant, begging for things and asking for help. Our family members have helped in so many ways with financial assistance or help caring for the children. The Boy Scouts of America gave Kieran a scholarship to camp. Sheila also received a scholarship to camp. American Shaolin Kenpo has offered the three boys a scholarship to their martial arts class until the Charter School can pay during the school year. Claire also receives sewing lessons that we don't pay for because of her generous grandparents.
Asking for help is so demeaning. Instead, it is easier to pray and ask our Lord to help. We have also asked our Lady to intercede for us especially in Lourdes. Because I felt that letting other people know that you are desperate and need their help was beneath me. I want to do it myself. I thought I didn't need anyone else's help.
In that case we could not have gone to Lourdes, or have the things we have now to live if we did not have help. Again, I have learned that our Lord is helping us through the wonderful family and friends who are so generous. If I do not accept their gifts I am denying the blessings given to us by God. So many people want to help. I should have let them long ago. Pride has always been such a weakness for me, a weekly confession point, it is for so many of us as it has been since the fall. We overcome pride with humility.
We ask God for help, we pray to the saints to help. Why not ask others for help? And give to others what you are able to give. Accept the benefits of love and grace that come from God from those who He has put in your way and say "Thank you, and God Bless" to all.
The Murray clan very much appreciates your prayers and kindness. God Bless you!!
Yes, we have had many moments of struggle, and many moments of blessings and grace. For some it is not very obvious, but for me, after being able to examine the gifts I can thank God and His mother.
We have received so many blessings in many ways that are not seen. At this time when it is truly a struggle financially for many people there are so many kind and generous folks that have helped us in our struggles. Lately I have become mendicant, begging for things and asking for help. Our family members have helped in so many ways with financial assistance or help caring for the children. The Boy Scouts of America gave Kieran a scholarship to camp. Sheila also received a scholarship to camp. American Shaolin Kenpo has offered the three boys a scholarship to their martial arts class until the Charter School can pay during the school year. Claire also receives sewing lessons that we don't pay for because of her generous grandparents.
Asking for help is so demeaning. Instead, it is easier to pray and ask our Lord to help. We have also asked our Lady to intercede for us especially in Lourdes. Because I felt that letting other people know that you are desperate and need their help was beneath me. I want to do it myself. I thought I didn't need anyone else's help.
In that case we could not have gone to Lourdes, or have the things we have now to live if we did not have help. Again, I have learned that our Lord is helping us through the wonderful family and friends who are so generous. If I do not accept their gifts I am denying the blessings given to us by God. So many people want to help. I should have let them long ago. Pride has always been such a weakness for me, a weekly confession point, it is for so many of us as it has been since the fall. We overcome pride with humility.
We ask God for help, we pray to the saints to help. Why not ask others for help? And give to others what you are able to give. Accept the benefits of love and grace that come from God from those who He has put in your way and say "Thank you, and God Bless" to all.
The Murray clan very much appreciates your prayers and kindness. God Bless you!!
Bateman/Murray Cousins
Life is changed, not ended...
Jill Costello passed away on June 24th, 2010. She was surrounded by family and prepared for death by her mother who bathed her with Lourdes water before she died. Claire and I attended her funeral and were both stuck by the providence of God which allowed us to meet her just two months before on our pilgrimage to Lourdes. Jill had stage 4 Lung cancer, she was 22 yrs. old, never a smoker or around second hand smoke. At the funeral we heard of her many accomplishments and desire for success. During the funeral mass I love to hear the words of the priest as he leads us in prayer: "Life is changed, not ended." We are all here for a short amount of time, some sadly shorter than others, much of the time is made up of suffering. What we do with that suffering can make us better for it, or not. To be given the gift of faith is such a blessing we need to thank God for His gift of faith. To be able to practice that gift in this country is precious, we need to be thankful for our country, especially as we celebrate the 4th of July. To receive that gift of faith from our parents is eternal, we need to thank our parents for their gift to us of our faith.
It is at times of sorrow and joy that we can place into focus the gifts that are much more apparent when we are not clouded by the superficial. I truly enjoy being present at a funeral mass , even given the sorrow and the loss of a loved one. It is then that we see our precious, eternal gift of our Catholic faith. We pray for the dead and their loved ones so that they may be in heaven and their family will be able to grieve their passing. We appreciate our own time and family. And, most importantly we remember to offer our sufferings for others and for our own salvation so that we may one day be able to meet our Lord face to face.
Let perpetual light shine upon Jill Costello O Lord, and may she rest in peace.
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