My children did not have school yesterday due to parent-teacher conferences, so it was a good day for me to get to confession - with last Saturday and next Saturday not working out schedule-wise. I was feeling like it was time, but nonetheless took some time on Sunday night to pray and reflect and make a list. My sister-in-law had brought home a series of questions based on those verses from Corinthians (?) Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous.... and I used those to take a look at my life. I always make a list in case my mind just goes completely blank, but at 6:15 in the morning....I have a list and I use it!
I made sure I was at church plenty early and the good Father was still sitting in the back pew praying his Rosary. I love that he does that! A son who spends time with his Mother. At the appointed time, he will enter the confessional, so I knelt and prayed. Another lady came from the front of the church once he got up, so I didn't get up and jump in front of her. They both knew that I as there waiting, so I trusted I would get my turn, and I did.
"The saints weren't born saints," he told me. "But they kept their focus on the Lord.....Ask the Lord to make His throne in your heart." (a reference to the 1st reading from Revelations). "That thorn in your side - and all of this is really your thorn - remember that St. Paul also had a thorn in his side. This is what God uses...." It was short and sweet, and we were done. Just like that - my soul was washed - in the Precious Blood of Jesus, some say.
I worked out before heading off to Parent Teacher Conferences for my high-schooler, and then going to spend 11-7 in my classroom waiting for parents. I had scheduled IEP conferences for a couple of kids, so those two parents showed up. I had two others during the 8 hours. One whom I correspond regularly with by email, and another who is trying to get her 13-year-old classified "autistic" so that she can get a check.
It rained most of the day. I got some housekeeping things done in my room. Lesson plans. Grades recorded. Went through the junk on my desk and threw away some. It looks a little better.
It was great to have the day off for election day today. I went to Mass for All Souls Day at the church nearest my house. My sister-in-law drove up at the same time I did in the rainy darkness. I can't make Mass at this time during the school year, so I had been looking forward to today. There are very few white folks at this church, but the people make my heart smile and the priest is awesome, too. Today we remembered the souls of those who had gone before us and were told that we should pray for the grace not to be afraid of death and the grace not to be afraid of life.
We voted. I went for my annual check-up. I must say that I dread the dentist far more (and I'm going there on Thursday). Things moved quickly at the doctor's office, and I didn't feel like going straight home, so I went and browsed the wonderful quiet of the Catholic bookstore on the other side of town. I want to buy everything I see there, but I just bought a handful of books. I will only get to read them if I spend less time on the computer, however.
We had haircuts scheduled for this afternoon, and that went well. I have struggled in recent years to find a style that I like - or any style at all, really. We had time this afternoon, so she blow dried and straightened. Looks cute. Now if she could just come to my house at about 5:30 a.m on a regular basis...
Tonight the election returns are on. Dear hubby popped some popcorn. So I think that I will go and join them...
Back to school tomorrow. :-(
Yay for 4 day weekends (not having kids at school is like a day off, isn't it?)! I was able to go to Daily Mass on Monday & Tuesday, and the weekend is almost here already!
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