Category Archives: A to Z Challenge

Z is for: Jake’s got a new Zip Code!

28 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Diabetes, Football, Jake Byrne

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Woohoo!!! This is the best way to end this A to Z challenge! My son, Jake, a tight-end with the Wisconsin Badgers, now has a new Zip Code! He just signed with the New Orleans Saints. Thanks be to God!

Want to know more about Jake Byrne, including his battles with type 1 diabetes, and how he got to be a “saint,” read below:

https://writingstraight.com/2012/04/28/y-is-for-yours/

https://writingstraight.com/2012/04/11/j-is-for-jake-and-juvenile-diabetes/

https://writingstraight.com/2012/04/25/v-is-for-the-virgin-mary-and-an-nfl-victory/

https://writingstraight.com/2012/02/19/nfl-aspirations-and-novelist-dreams-follow-the-fairytales-as-they-come-true/

New Orleans! My shocked kids!

Yes YOU! You did it Jake! You were an awesome player in high school, even while struggling with a diabetes diagnosis. 

You were a fantastic Badger!

So proud of you!!

And a good brother to sister Betsy and to brother Nick!

Congratulations Jake!!!! Whew! Glad the A to Z challenge is over and Jake got on an NFL Team. Go Saints! I also got an agent for my novel and hope to be the next one in the family to get a big contract! All glory to God!

Y is for Yours

28 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Diabetes, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne

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In my A to Z blog challenge, I wanted to wait and blog a “Y is for Yahoo,” but thought of this Y post instead. My hope is to post a yahoo later. For now, I’m posting “Yours.” Here’s why:

Today, with anxiety and anticipation, I wait to hear if my son Jake will be drafted into the NFL. It takes me back 22 years when I was admitted in the hospital and with anxiety and anticipation, I listened to the doctor. He said, “You will most likely miscarry.”

It had been a rough morning. Crimson bed sheets. Cramps. Telltale clots. Didn’t look good four months into my pregnancy. The doctor offered zero hope.

Shortly after he left, a nurse entered the room, not checking me physically, but examining my emotional state. “Have hope,” she said, before she patted my hand and left.

Though I never saw that nurse again, her words sparked hope and ignited my first grown-up prayer. It was simple. “My baby is yours, God.”

I was young, scared, and needed someone way bigger than me to deal with something I couldn’t handle. I remember telling God that though I wanted this baby with all of my heart, whatever the outcome, I would trust Him. If the outcome was not what I wanted, I would be sad, but I would still trust that it was His will. It was a decision. A prayer.

After the prayer, a wave of peace washed over me. God gave me an immediate answer. When another nurse came into the room, I heard Jake’s heartbeat for the fist time.

A few months later, when Jake was born and I looked into his eyes for the first time, I was sure I glimpsed Heaven in those eyes. A look of wisdom of his knowledge of where he’d just been. He connected with me, peered deep into my eyes and cooed. The moment stunned me. I felt as if the coos were a thank you for the prayers I’d offered months earlier. Then, in an instant, the look in his eyes switched to that of an innocent newborn.

From that moment, I knew God had a purpose for Jake to be born. I also realized that my prayers would be an important part of his life. When he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his teens, and my anxiety would get the best of me, I would again tell God, “He is yours.”

Today, as we wait to see if Jake is drafted in the NFL, I remind myself to let go of my anxiety and pray the same prayer I offered twenty-two years ago, and repeated many times: “Lord, He’s yours. Whatever the outcome, he belongs to you.”

X is for Xenophanes, Xerses and an excellent post from a bishop

27 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge

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Xenophanes of Colophon was a traveling poet and sage with philosophical leanings who lived in ancient Greece during the sixth and the beginning of the fifth centuries BCE. There are a significant number of surviving fragments for such an early figure, and the poetic verses available to us indicate a broad range of issues. These include comments on religion, knowledge, the natural world, the proper comportment at a banquet, as well as other social teachings and commentary. He satirized traditional religious views of his time as human projections.

Xerxes was king of Persia in 485-465 BC. The first part of his reign was marked by the famous campaign into Greece, beginning in 483. After the defeat at Salamis in 480 Xerxes himself withdrew from the expedition and it was finally discontinued in the next year. During the remainder of his reign, Xerxes seems to have spent a listless existence, absorbed in intrigues of the harem, and leaving the government to be carried on by his ministers and favorites (often slaves). He was finally murdered by his vizier and left an unenviable reputation for caprice and cruelty. According to the Bible, Esther, was his Jewish queen. Even if you don’t read the Bible, this is a really fascinating story about how Esther saved the Jewish people. I also enjoyed the movie, “One Night with the King,” based on the story of Esther and Xerxes.

And Bishop Leo Michael of the Holy Catholic Church, Anglican Rite, has an excellent post today about X times. Check it out! I think he’s pretty fantastix! And so is his Epsicoblog!

W is for Walsingham and Winners

26 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Books, Photography, Travel

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Keeping in mind my “Person, Place, and Blog” theme for the A to Z blog challenge, I’ll begin this W blog post with PLACE:

W is for Walsingham, England. I used this photo I shot for my header photo:

Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

My husband, Rt. Rev. Leo Michael, (Holy Catholic Church, Anglican Rite), celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Walsingham Shrine.

Our Lady of Walsingham Chapel

And here’s two really fantastic PEOPLE who wrote a Wonderful Winner of a book that begins with W…and the setting of the novel is also in England:

Wind Over Troubled Waters by Francene Stanley & Edith Parzefall has been released on April 24!  Corn World. Britland. After the great flood, only memories, debris and derelict buildings speak of a past civilization. Visions of these disturbing times haunt Cerridwen’s dreams. When her dying mother sends Cerridwen to find a mural in Saint Eyes and lead Britland into a better future, the young healer has little choice but to set out on a life-changing quest. Her ability to perceive auras convinces her to accept nature-attuned Trevly’s offer of protection.

Bent on adventure and enthralled by the promise of treasure, beautiful Sasha, cunning Aron and uncut Boris join forces to get the most out of life. Their selfish plans collide with Cerridwen’s when they learn about a powerful ring and a mural pointing the way to its location.

I’ll review this book after the A to Z Challenge, but I’ve helped critique this novel and highly recommend it. Francene and Edith are very talented writers. Click to buy it on amazon.com

And for a Winner blog: Glenda Mills. Writing for Hope and Encouragement. A must visit blog. I love her blog. Her photos are fantastic. Her prose is superb. And she and her husband are winners because they’ve been married for 48 years. Happy Wedding Anniversary.

X is next. Hmmm…I’m coming up blank, a big X…We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

V is for The Virgin Mary and an NFL Victory

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Christianity, Diabetes, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne

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The story behind the photograph: My husband and I were staying with our friend, Father Joseph Matthew (administrator), at a quiet private novitiate in Rosemead, California when we discovered this image on the courtyard sidewalk. The date was January 1st, 2012 (feast of the Solemnity of Virgin Mary, Mother of God). Our son, Jake Byrne (Wisconsin Badger) was playing in the 2012 Rose Bowl in nearby Pasadena. The rose (notice the rose theme) is a symbol for the Virgin Mary, who is also called the Mystical Rose.

Father Joseph Matthew, whom my husband has known since childhood, had been watering potted plants on the sidewalk. He testified that the water, staining the sidewalk, had formed this image above. The circular mark in the center bottom was where the pot rested.

We were in Rosemead because of Jake’s football game. Jake had started for the Wisconsin Badgers for the last four years and after the game, he would leave college and enter into training camp to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Jake, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, has worked really hard to get to this point. He’s always been a determined, thoughtful, kind, and faithful son. (You can read more about Jake’s determination here.)

Back in January, standing before this image of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, I prayed to God, asking Mary to also pray and intercede for a blessing for Jake as well as blessings for other loved ones.

If we can ask our friends to pray for us, and we, as Christians believe in eternal life, then I see no reason why we can’t also ask the Virgin Mary to pray before the throne of God, for our intentions. She, after all, bore the Son of God in her womb. And not only was she a follower of Christ, she watched him suffer and die an excruciating death on the cross for humanity. She felt the pain a mother would naturally feel for her son. She must love us all so very much, to stand by and watch something I could not imagine watching, especially if it was my son. I hold the Virgin Mary dear to my heart and consider her my Mother in Heaven, a saint above all saints.

Tomorrow begins the NFL draft and it goes until Saturday. We are hoping for a victory, for Jake to be drafted.

I am a mother, praying for her son. Surely, the Virgin Mary understands that.

Go Jake! We love you!

*Follow up: Jake signed with the New Orleans Saints. How fitting!

A to Z Blog Challenge: U is for Unicorns and an Unbeleivable story.

24 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Diabetes, Football, Jake Byrne

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Weird, but this morning I woke  from a dream about a beautiful unicorn. I have no idea what that means, but I took it as a good sign. I googled dream meanings, and it said dreams of Unicorn mean hidden strength. And did you know Unicorns are mentioned in the Bible, several times, including these:

KJV Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

KJV Psalm 92:10. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

And I found this online: Unicorn: the unicorn — mentioned in the Bible, by the way: see Psalm 21:22, 28:6 (Psalms 22 and 29 in the King James Bible), 92:11; and Isaias 34:7 — is a symbol of chastity and of Christ Himself. Medieval legend had it that the unicorn, a feisty and fierce animal, could not be easily hunted, but if a virgin were to sit in the forest, the unicorn would find her and lay its head upon her lap. The hunter could then come by and take its horn, which was seen as having profound medical qualities (for ex., it was said to eliminate the harmful effects of a poisoned liquid). The picturing of a virgin and unicorn together, then, was common during the Age of Faith — the former representing Our Lady, and the latter representing Christ, Who brought forth the “horn of salvation.”

And because it’s NFL DRAFT WEEK, I’ll just post this link to a unbeleivable, but true story (from my blog) about a little baby (my son) who kicked open an incubator door, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, then went onto play college football at the University of Wisconsin. (If you read it already, at least pray and root for Jake, as he has chance to get drafted in the NFL.) Draft process begins Thursday. I’ll keep you informed through my blog and twitter. And if you want to read more about Jake, I also write about him (and other stuff) in these posts:

https://writingstraight.com/2012/02/19/nfl-aspirations-and-novelist-dreams-follow-the-fairytales-as-they-come-true/

https://writingstraight.com/2012/04/02/a-to-z-challenge-b-is-for-blessings/ (SO to Betsy and Nick, my other children, who are equally as brilliant, cute and talented as Jake).

https://writingstraight.com/2012/02/15/how-does-it-all-connect/

And, just because there are so many other good blogs in the A to Z challenge, I’d like to give a shout out to:

1. Erin M Hartshorn, Science fiction and fantasy author, because she blogs about Unicorns today, too.

2. Nate Wilson’s: Sometimes the Wheel is on Fire, because I found his blog posts fascinating.

3. Rosalind Adams is Writing in the Rain. Rosalind is a writer, workshop leader, wife, mother, committed worrier and nostalgia obsessive.

4. Dawn Malone’s: Here’s the story. About Musings About Books, Writing, and Little Inspirations That Grow Big Stories. It’s a really nice blog. I liked it!

5. By Word of Beth because I like her blog topics: Writing, Reading, the Arts, and Life.

Ok, gotta finish edits TONIGHT, so I can be more creative with V.

T is for Ancient Traditions at a Tamil – American Wedding

23 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge

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When my husband celebrated the Mass at a Tamil/American wedding this past weekend, I offered to take photos for the couple. It was an eclectic blending of traditions: A Tamil-American groom (our postulant in the Holy Catholic Church, Anglican Rite-HCCAR). An American bride. A traditional Anglican wedding from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, officiated by Bishop Edmund Jayaraj, Bishop in our Holy Catholic Church, Anglican Rite. Below, Bishop Jayaraj’s nephew, Alfred Sturgis and Alfred’s bride, Michelle.

Alfred and his mom, Irene. Beautiful Saree.

Mass in our traditional Anglican way is said kneeling and, Ad orientem, which is Latin for “to the east.” In all of HCCAR churches, the priests celebrate Mass in the eastward direction, facing the Altar, as a deep reverence to God.

Traditional Anglican Mass, elevating the Body of Christ.

Below, Alfred, the groom, ties the thali (a necklace) in three knots around his bride’s neck, in the South Indian ancient tradition. The first knot binds the husband and wife, the second knot binds them to God, and the the third knot symbolizes their matrimony before the eyes of the society. The knots also symbolize: the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

In the Anglican tradition, the priest ties his stole around the hands of the couple, an tradition that symbolizes the binding of the couple to each other and to God.

A lovely wedding, followed by a wonderful reception with a delicious South Indian menu.

Another blogger, blogging about Tradition is: L. Catherine Tayler, A Common Sea. I’m a sentimental person. I love nostalgia, and keep myriad pictures and other memory-provoking items in my home. I find the past, even a past I didn’t live in, to be fascinating. This longing to stay connected to the past is one of the reasons I minored in history. For more, click here.

Tomorrow is U. Unless, I finish my edits, I can’t post a blog. I better get to work!

A to Z Challenge: R is for Rest in Peace Roxanne and Amber

20 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Christianity, Inspiration

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For the letter P, in the A to Z challenge, I posted a blog asking for prayers for my friend Roxanne Clemen, diagnosed with leukemia. Last night she entered into Heaven. Roxanne was a loving, kind, and faithful soul and will be greatly missed by many. Thank you for your prayers. She was and is in God’s loving hands. My condolences to her husband Roger and to her lovely children, Travis, Bobby, and Tiffany and all those she loved like her own.

The following is from her Facebook information page, and contains much wisdom: If only we could properly comprehend how precious life really is, we’d certainly treasure and enjoy every minute rather than being bitter or complaining about the silly little things that just don’t matter. Forgive love laugh & never hold a grudge!

I love God with all my heart. I am married to a wonderful man named Roger. When I married him I became an instant grandma! Between us we have 5 children and 7 beautiful grandchildren. I love being a grandma. My family is my life!

This is has been a sad week. We also lost our dear friend and church member Amber Kirkland to cancer.

Losing loved ones is never easy, but as Christians, we have peace, knowing that this is only a temporary separation. We will rejoice with them someday in Heaven.

It’s a comforting and interesting concept that all those whom we meet and love on Earth, we will also love and hang around with in Heaven. There are books written by people who die, go to Heaven, and meet loved ones, then miraculously return. 90 minutes in Heaven: A true story of life and death by Don Piper is an excellent book that tells the story of a man who did that.

Given the thought, I’d like to meet, befriend, and love as many people on earth as possible, like Roxanne and Amber did. That way, once in Heaven, I’ll have a large crowd to party with! Roxanne and Amber will have a magnificent gathering around them. They have both loved well on earth and are loved by many.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

The Hope of the Resurrection

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[a] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[b]16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died[c]will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Corinthians 15:51ff What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,[c] this Scripture will be fulfilled:  “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?[e]”

Eternal rest grant unto Roxanne and Amber, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

I will miss you both, but will see you again, dear friends, Roxanne and Amber.

Q is for Quarterfinalist, a Quintessential time, and Questions

19 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in A to Z Challenge, Crooked Lines, Football, Jake Byrne

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Q is not such a difficult letter to blog about. What a quintessential time in  my life! In my quest to become a novelist, my novel, Crooked Lines, made it as a quarterfinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award. I am waiting for April 24th, for the semi-finalists to be announced. Even if it doesn’t make it, I’m glad it made it this far. It’s going to be published soon, either way. Here are the first few chapters downloadable for free on Amazon.com.

I am also quite excited about another upcoming date. April 26th is the NFL draft and I’m waiting to see if my son, Jake Byrne, gets drafted. A news article mentioning Jake came into my google alerts yesterday and it mentions my blog as well. Quality stuff! Scroll down to Wisconsin Tight End Jake Byrne, and the reporter actually has a link to my blog post from J: Jake and Juvenile Diabetes.

Questions. Questions. I can hardly quell my joy! Will my novel make it to the semi-finals? Will it be a bestseller? Will Jake be drafted in the NFL? What team will pick him? Stay tuned for an exciting end to this A to Z challenge. R is next. Hope there will be some rejoicing!