Happy New Year!!! It is hard to believe that 2010 is over. What a year it has been for the Murray Clan. We have all see John Mary grow so much in a year. He just celebrated his 1st birthday, he is walking and talking and a busy little boy. He is a joy to be around and we are so glad he is a new part of the family.
Fulton is almost 4 yrs. old and and after going through the terrible two's he has developed the most gentle disposition and the mildest temperament. He can be appreciated most for his personality and "cuteness." Michael is a Kindergartner and he works hard to learn his letters and numbers and keep up with his older brother Stephen who has improved dramatically in math, reading and communication skills. Stephen is in second grade and is now borrowing and and subtracting in math and he continues to amaze the family with his intelligence and wit. Joseph is doing well in school and has advanced a belt in American Shaolin Kenpo. His older brother Thomas has also advanced in their recent belt testing, as well as Kieran who may have skipped a belt according to his score on his belt test. Kieran is also working hard at graduating from eighth grade, his studies and boy scouts keep him and his parents busy.
Claire has had many blessings in health over the last year. She has gained weight and had the broviak removed last September because of her success. She has also not had surgery since the summer and continues to work hard in physical and occupational therapy. Sheila is in her last year of High School and is working on receiving her driver's license by her 18th birthday. She is also applying for colleges in pursuit of a nursing career. Yet, she is still praying and discerning what the will of God is and her vocation. Lastly, Matthew entered the seminary for the Diocese of Oakland. He is very much enjoying this stage of his life and wants to be challenged and encouraged to serve our Lord fully. Joe has been with his new job, at Wells Fargo bank, for a year now. He enjoys his job, and he appreciates the leadership of his boss who has been wonderful to him. He looks forward to working there in the year and remaining open to the will of God.
We have been so blessed in the 2010 year, thanks to the prayers and support of so many friends and family. We have had our sufferings and we continue to implore our Lord and His mother for guidance and strength. We continue to wait for the surgery date for Claire to correct her spine. She remains in pain, and hopes and prays that this surgery will be her last and most effective.
We were expecting the Murray Clan 12 to change to 13 in July of 2011, with a pregnancy I discovered in October of 2010. Yet, within the last week, sadly, I had a miscarriage. This is the second occasion I have lost a child in pregnancy and it is very difficult. But, a very wise woman reminded me that God's plan is much better than my plan. I just pray that I may follow His plan and follow His will for me and the family.
Finally, on this Feast of the Mother of God I have had time to reflect on the past year, the blessings and graces of God, and the love of the Blessed Mother for our family because of Christ her son. Today, the Gospel reading is especially beautiful and important as we ponder the words "he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." It was Mary's "yes" to God that enabled her to become the mother of God, and our mother. We are thankful to her and God for her "yes" Do we also say "yes" to God in everything He asks of us whether it be in our blessings or in our sufferings. Do we say yes in serving Him and enabling others to see the light of Christ in our actions and deeds.
May 2011 be year of prosperity and blessings. But, most importantly, may it be a year of coming to know and serve our Lord more deeply and doing His will in our "yes."
In Praise of the Divine Motherhood (by poet Caelius Sedulius)
Now, from the rising of the sun
Unto the very ends of earth,
let us sing praise to Christ our Head,
Born of the Virgin Mary
The blessed maker of the world
Put on the body of a slave
Lest, setting free the flesh by flesh,
He let be lost what he had made
The grace of heaven enters in
The closed-up Mother's inmost parts.
The maiden's womb bears
A mystery unknown to her
The dwelling of a modest heart
Suddenly becomes God's temple;
Untouched, not knowing man,
She spoke, a word and made a Son.
In childbirth, she gave birth to him
Whom Gabriel had foretold
Whom John recognized,
While still his Mother's womb enclosed him.
He endured lying in the manger,
He did not spurn the crib.
He fed upon a little milk;
Through him not even birds lack food.
God Bless you and Holy New Year!!!
over the last year. I know that Claire is much stronger spiritually today as result of that grace and peace filled journey. Physically, Claire has become weaker. Especially given her recent surgery, which has pushed her recovery back further. Since the spinal fusion Claire has had to regain muscle strength that she took for granted in the past. Claire is in both physical and occupational therapy to try and rebuild her muscle control. There are plans for her to enter the hospital in the rehabilitation unit in order to work on strengthening. Being in the hospital is not the best or easiest decision, but for Claire it will allow her to learn new skills and get stronger. We thank you for your continued prayers. We ask that the Blessed Mother pray for you and bring you to the place of healing at Lourdes. May the almighty Lord bless us, protect from evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
You can see the pictures of Sheila and Claire with the band members. They had a great time especially with the guys who played for Our Lord all weekend.
Kieran spent the last week traveling down Hwy. 1 to Big Sur with his Boy Scout troop. In total, the trip was over 150 miles. The views were spectacular and it was quite an adventure. He has become the cyclist over the last few months and he is enjoying it tremendously. I am very grateful to his boy scout troop for their generosity and kindness; without the Scouts I don't believe Kieran would have discovered his new passion.
During this Octave of Easter, as well as the Divine Mercy week, Stephen had the opportunity to receive his first confession. It was very sweet. Normally I am not one to take pictures, especially of such an intimate sacrament as First Reconciliation. But, given Stephen's gifts, and that his hero is Fr. Jerry, and lastly that he is preparing for First Communion I thought it appropriate to capture this moment of grace. Stephen loved every minute of it. He ran up the steps for confession. Fr. Jerry let me know that he thought he would vibrate right out of the chair. The next evening Stephen expected to return for confession. Joe and I were surprised at his enthusiasm to receive confession. His desire to return the next evening confirms his love for the church, as well as his ease with Fr. Jerry, and most importantly Christ's presence in that sacrament.
