Saturday's Saint: St. Joseph

I've officially decided that Saturday with be "Saturday's Saint" and Sunday with be "Sunday's Scripture".

So, due to the place St. Joseph has played in my life and relationship, we're going to start with him!

St. Joseph

Patron Saint of: chastity/purity, marriage, fathers, carpenters, engineers, the unborn, families, happy death, house hunters, people in doubt, protector of the Church, social justice, travellers, Universal Church, Vatican II, working people.

St. Joseph is my favorite saint for many reasons. He is a beautiful example of how to follow God's will, even when it is not what you had planned on and when things don't make sense. I cannot truly imagine the position he and his wife were in when they found out about Jesus, but I imagine it was much worse than anyone could imagine today. They beautifully followed God's lead, blindly and faithfully.

St. Joseph protected Mary and Joseph. Can you imagine having to travel such a long distance on a donkey and being 9 months pregnant?! He took care of Mary (and Jesus) and did his best to provide for them. And after all of that commotion, he blindly followed God's command to flee to Egypt at a moments notice!

The Nativity Movie gives a beautiful view of St. Joseph (though I'm not a big fan of how they portrayed Mary). It was after watching that movie that Dan and I officially decided to consecrate our relationship to St. Joseph. What is consecration? The easiest way for me to describe it is as an official declaration that we are asking Him to pray for our relationship continually. And it was through His prayers that I believe we came back together when things went ary (God knows we would not have ended up together if he didn't do something drastic!). The story is amazing, unbelievable, and beautiful! Thank you God and thank you St. Joseph for your constant prayers.

How does St. Joseph play a part in our relationship now?
1) He prays for us
2) We ask him every night to pray for us
3) We will consecrate our marriage to him next year
4) We plan to name our first boy after him
5) He's a great example for us and our soon-to-be family!

Thank you, St. Joseph, for your constant prayers, especially
when Dan and I need it the most. Thank you for your holy

example of a father and husband, and man of God.

Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for marriage!

Ideas that kept me awake tonight

I've decided to do a posting for each day of the week. Based on my "teal" tendencies (a leadership style from a high school student council camp quiz) to start things with high hopes and great intentions, but eventually become disorganized and un-dedicated, I will not entertain the illusion that this will be a daily reflection. Regardless of these inclinations, I have made a resolution to do these at least a few times a week!

All of the days have not been decided as of this point, but I feel that God has put this on my heart. So, as he tells them to me, I shall make them known to the blogging world. These are my ideas thus far . . . whether they remain as such is still to be determined.

Sunday: Sunday's Saints - discovering a saint's story (whether "S" or "s", living on earth or in heaven).
Monday: Miracle Monday - I'm not sure of this one. The idea thus far is to find a miracle on Mondays. We'll see if anything else comes up!
Tuesday: A Tune for A Tuesday - This is the day that started the idea! I LOVE lyrics and what music can do for a soul. Thus, I will post lyrics to a meaningful song on Tuesdays.
Wednesday: Wednesday's Wardrobe - Probably the least thought out one thus far. If it stays, I'll report on the clothes I've been sewing, or great modest clothing, or . . . well, I just don't know yet! :)
Thursday: Thoughtful Thursday - or - Thursday's Travels - Thursdays will either be filled with quotes, bible verses, or other thoughts for the day, or by discovering new places I have or would like to travel.
Friday: Food-filled Friday - Another less than thought through idea. Possibly doing a mini "Julie and Julia" blog. Cooking something new for Fridays.
Saturday: Saturday's Strengths and Struggles - or - Saturday Scriptures - . . . looking back on the times I have been weak or strong through the week on Saturdays or reflecting on the readings for Sunday.

Any ideas or suggestions?