(5/3)...streaming

I have had so much to say lately and not much time to say it...like so many bloggers I just have this running monologue in my head. You know, the issues we would discuss if you could come over for coffee in the morning or iced tea in the afternoon. I admit, I'm rather lonely most days, for adult companionship, that is. Faith chatters all day, but by about 3 p.m. I just can't listen any more.

And my husband talks to people all day at work, so he doesn't really want to chat that much in the evening, and especially not about the topics we would talk about. Girl stuff, ya know.

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Anyway...just to chat, I have to say, after two weeks with Miss Ava (as she is known in the parts, aka the cat), I don't think I'm a cat person. I think a lot of people are either dog people or cat people, and some are both (but not many I think), and though I tolerate her, I don't "get" her. I had a cat growing up but she was more like a dog. Ava plays mind games. I don't know how cats do that, or if it's intentional, but I dislike it very much. She has about 300 different meows and I only know about two of them -- "I'm hungry" and "I would like you to pet my head." The other meows could result in purring, or a twitch of the tail, which I can figure out means "leave me alone or I'll bite you."

Dogs don't play games. What you see is what they are -- playful, gentle, energetic, even mean. It's all right out there. Kind of like little boys. I think that is why I love little boys -- what you see if what they are. No secrets. I like dogs. And little boys.

 I can go from sweet sleeping kitty to "I want to scratch your eyes out" in 3 seconds.

So that's the story with the cat. I promise you, this will not become a cat blog.

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I have had a little secret that I have not told you because I was afraid it was too good to be true.

Joshua's girlfriend, Taylor, is planning to start RCIA classes in the fall.

Isn't that awesome?

Our Taylor, on her birthday last summer

They have been dating for over two years now, and a couple of months ago she told me that she has every intention of spending the rest of her life with Joshua (which is proof that there is a merciful God in heaven!). We have had some serious discussions lately and she has been going to Mass with us a lot. But I still wasn't sure just where their relationship would go, spiritually, religion-wise. She was raised Presbyterian, and though Joshua has a strong faith, he is still rather young and I was afraid could be persuaded to go in another direction. Every child has the potential to be drawn away from his or her faith, no matter how strong a faith he or she has as a child, or even young adult. We all have different motivators and love can be a strong one. Joshua is the kind of young man who does not like to make waves, so to speak, and I could see him being drawn away from the Church so as not to hurt the love of his life.

Taylor told me, though, rather early on in their relationship, that she feels closer to God in our Church. Isn't that beautiful? (and you know me, I'm not usually a gusher) Joshua also has a young Catholic friend, Jon,  who is such a dynamo of faith. He just radiates love for God and has been such a great influence on both of them. I think they have both seen, through him, that we CAN be in this world and not of this world. It's easy to say that, and they both see it from Doug and I, but we are parents. It's so much more influential to see it from a friend -- a guy who shows love for Christ without being a preacher. I thank God for this young man, and his parents -- they really did something right.

So, please keep Joshua and Taylor, especially, in your prayers. I am fervently praying that next year we will be attending the easter Vigil and welcoming our future daughter-in-law into the Church. I'm not sure her parents are pleased with her decision, so she will need fortitude.

And speaking of a future daughter-in-law, Joshua and I are doing some special shopping tomorrow. I'm not going to tell, but I bet you can guess. But it's hush, hush until the fall. Or so he says. I doubt he can keep it under wraps for that long. Unless I take it and put it in a safe deposit box and hide the key.



That's all for today. I hope you are enjoying my Mary posts. I love to find some little tidbit about her every day, and share my love for her with you.

Please also remember my father-in-law in your prayers. His spirits are up and he has actually been remarkably cheerful. He has been a model for his sons and grandchildren and for that I am very thankful. I am praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for him, and I'm off now to bake him another German Apple Cake, as his stash of pieces he saved from two weeks ago is now all been eaten.