Three Things...

This post will be short.

I have three things to say.
1. I love you soooooo much.
2. I prayed another rosary for you today.
3. I had to look up the word verbose after reading your email.

Ponder LOVE today, little girl. <3

Heal Me

The Lord doesn't do anything half way.  When the Lord heals us, He heals the places of our heart that we didn't know needed to be healed.

Lord, if it is your will,

HEAL ME.

Mass and rosary offered up for you chica! ++

The Air Hurts My Face.

Do you remember the morning before we went to get coffee and breakfast at Bene?  I accidently slept in and Anne and Colleen put up the “Merry Christmas” ribbon above our door.  You were trying to finish up a section of your project with MK and I kept throwing gold fish at you…Well I found one of those goldfish today.  And I am pretty sure it was from that exact morning based upon the location I found it in.  Also I ate all the malt balls you gave me for Christmas, but I can’t bring myself to eat the red one.  So I am going to leave it on your nightstand.  (If anyone should eat Rudolf’s nose, it’s you.)

Yesterday evening after mass I was walking home and passed by the skating rink across from Widmer’s grocery.  There was a youth hockey game going on and it was snowing outside!  I stopped and watched it for as long as my body could take J  It was so fun!  I took a picture for you.  (I had to send it to Colleen so she could send it to my email.)

Another mass for you, mujer. + And I am praying a divine mercy chaplet before bed as well! +

Please offer up some prayers for a few individuals from St. Charles.  I just learned about a car accident and a divorce and both need extra graces!

Tomar buenas decisions and don’t forget to Ponder Love Today!

Ponder His Promises

I am still thinking of you and praying for you. +

Ponder not only love today, but also know of His promises.

"I call with all my heart; Lord, answer me.  I will observe your statues.  I call upon you; save me, and I will keep your decrees.

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have hoped in your word.  My eyes awaken before dawn, to ponder your promise."

-Psalm 119: 145-148

+Rosary +Mass

Alive & Well

YOU ARE ALIVE!

I am glad to hear from you…FINALLY!  Even if it was only two words.  J  Anne found you in a picture on Facebook at a dinner with your class.  (I am glad to see you smiling and hope that you are feeling more peace now that some of the anticipation is over.)  I continue to pray.  It worries me slightly that I cannot know really how you are doing.  I just have to wait this one out.  But you have this morning’s mass, last night’s rosary, and a car rosary during work today.

As for me…

I cannot tell you how much joy I felt being able to spend time with Lizzy.  As soon as I saw her out the window, I ran outside to scoop that little woman up!  I could not hold back my tears.  I was filled with love and the Holy Spirit.  She could not stop laughing.  It was a beautiful moment and I am forever holding it close to my heart.  I got to hear many of the ins and outs of their life so far and I can’t wait to share them with you!  We sat on the couch eating popcorn, drinking tea, and just talked.  I shared with her my life this past semester and the movements of my heart.  She is such a good listener and knows exactly what to say.  And guess what else…SHE SIGNED MY BED!!!!!!!  It is right above where I sleep and it has already brought me smiles after I am tucked in.  (Anne was honored because Lizzy slept in her bed.)  Lizzy enjoyed our Christmas blanket fort and thought our house was great!  Fun fact: She has to wear her skirt and vest ALL the time…I mean ALL the time…as in picture her running on a treadmill in that thing! They have three treadmills for the nine postulants and they get an hour of rec time every day after lunch.

I got to go to the CCR gathering with Lizzy and the Peine family!

More good news!  I had my first session of physical therapy this morning.  It lasted about an hour and they did all these different “test” exercises to examine my body.  It was pretty fascinating.  I always thought I was pretty strong and athletic…haha!  Here are the main issues:

1.    When I broke my leg, I should have received physical therapy.  Typically the body works opposite and upwards in response to injuries.  Because I broke my right leg slightly above the ankle, my PT is not surprised that I have knee pain in my left knee.  In fact, given time, I might have started to notice pain in my right hip after that.

2.     I have no hip muscle.  This might be slightly genetic due to my mom having to get both of her hips replaced before she was 50.  My hip muscles and butt muscles are the main areas we are going to focus on these next six weeks (along with some core).

3.      My body hyper-extends.  I can bend my fingers back and to the side too far.  My hips pop out of joint when I stand leaning to the side.  My knees and ankles are a bit loose and also pop frequently.

    Basically all of these factors adds up to me standing, running, and walking incorrectly.  My knee was just the indicator.  Hopefully after six weeks, she will reassess my progress and be pleased.  Until then, hello rubber bands and butt squeezes!

     

    Finally, it was my first day back at work.  I got to see Carissa today.  We usually have a pretty good relationship, but today was hard.  She was extremely rude and basically told me to leave her house.  I don’t really know what I did or what I could have done different. 

    

    I wonder why she pushes people away.  What is she afraid of?  Does she think I am going to hurt her?  Does she not trust me?  I can tell she is a slave to something.  How do I love her?

                                                     I need to PONDER LOVE TODAY.

Helen is Lonely.

It is 2 am in Poland, but I am not sure if you have quite made it there yet.  I don’t know how many connecting flights you had and how long it actually takes.

I prayed for you today in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  As soon as you left this morning I felt very lonely.  It’s a funny thing…loneliness.  I was washed with a kind of emptiness.  I have been experiencing this a lot lately, especially over Christmas break.  Loneliness is such an uncomfortable thing.  I feel awkward and restless.  So I sat in front of the Blessed Sacrament and let the loneliness happen.  I know the Lord joined me in my solitude today.  I prayed a rosary for your travels.  I pictured you on the plane practicing your deep breathing.  I hope you felt some peace from my prayers. 

After prayer I wandered around the basement of Nativity for a while.  (Again…I didn’t want to go home to an empty house.)  I found a nice little closet that leads into a tight corridor which runs along the inside of the church.  It is extremely warm because the furnace pipes line the wall.  I think I might go exploring there again soon. 

I am waiting for Lizzie to arrive any minute.  I am SO FLIPPIN EXCITED TO SEE HER FACE!!!!!  She is a good one, that woman.  Paula Bengsten might have someone to compete with.

I love you, little turkey.  The next time you PONDER LOVE, it will be in Poland!!!!! J

P.S. Hello to you too, Mr. Yang.

P.P.S. Helen is quite affronted that she did not get to travel to Poland with you.  We will be having a family meeting as soon as you return.

The Polish flag.

To the one who travels the world...

To the one who travels the world,


1.       It took me several hours to figure out my name and password for this blog.  I am obviously too obstinate to simply create a new account.  After painstakingly guessing different combinations of usernames and passwords, receiving verification emails and text messages, and updating the template and background of my blog, here is the new and improved Ponder Love Today.

2.   FYI

3. I changed the password to laureleyer. (Feel free to blog back....My email is sarahlavalla@gmail.com....just know that some old man in China might end up reading what you write.)

RULES: Do NOT change the background of my blog or I will sleep in your bed naked every night while you are gone!!!!!


4. You and the man from China are probably the only two people in the world who read this blog.

Mr. Ying

¡Mi pequeño pavo!

 5.  I promise to pray for you everyday.

6.   I also will update this blog whilst you are away.  (Be ready to be smothered by my love.)

7.   Because I know you love this... (I am a link)

8.   But seriously.  Number 5.

9.   Let me know when you can Skype.

10.  Finally, I do not apologize for any off key singing in the CD.



PONDER LOVE TODAY, LITTLE ONE.