Graces from above...

"Because eucharisteo is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things - take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness.  I have glimpsed it:  This, the hard eucharisteo.  The hard discipline to lean into the ugly and whisper thanks to transfigure it into beauty.  The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times because He is all good." 

-One Thousand Gifts

Normally I try to post our family's "Multitudes on Mondays" on Monday, but I have had other things that have kept me away from sitting down to do this until now.  We lost a pet this past week.  Yes, I know, it was only a pet.  And, I am so thankful to be learning these life lessons right now as a family through this type of loss (an animal instead of a person).  Giving the confirmation to euthanize a pet that is so loved is such a sad, hard thing to do. That and seeing him sick and him being gone forever now was our hard eucharisteo this past week.  Yet, there are things to be thankful for surrounding all our sadness.  God's hand was in it all, and we still took time to whisper our love and thankfulness to Him.  This sadness and emptiness can be transformed into joy, and it can only happen when we turn to Him.

Thanks be to God for these and all graces received the past week....

#590 - a few sugar snap peas, peppers and tomatoes ready to pick and eat from our garden
#591 - Max sharing his first 20 hearts prize with his sisters willingly and lovingly 

#592 - walking by the girls' room and hearing them sing "Immaculate Mary"
#593 - the cool scanning machines at the library
#594 - Fone's enthusiasm
#595 - splashing and playing in a big puddle after our church's VBS program
#596 - Melody's pretty long braid
#597 - good vets who are also compassionate
#598 - tears of sadness from all of us Youngn's = tears of love for BJ
#599 - great VBS at our church this past week
#600 - messy, fun water play outside after VBS, this time in the sprinkler
#602 - peace and love and forgiveness - that we are called to do and bring to others, despite our feelings inside
#603 - a wonderful faith-filled dinner guest
#604 - Father Tom playing the guitar and singing for us after dinner

#606 - Pookey's belly giggles
#607 - lovin's and snuggles from Neil and the kiddos
#608 - sharing our talents for God's glory
#609 - joy found in the simple things in life
#611 - Pookey's flashlight

#613 - daily Saturday morning Mass to be fed and filled with the Life of World
#614 - my father-in-law helping Neil in our basement renovations
#615 - the love our kids have for our pets

#616 - communication and choosing to be understanding
#617 - my beautiful, hard-working wife falling asleep on the couch before 10pm
#619 - piano tunes played all throughout the day
#620 - days at home
#621 - kids who are always willing to help in the kitchen
#622 - the time we had with BJ and the hard, sad goodbye  :(

#623 - hugs, lovin's, snuggles from all 6 kids plus Neil to help ease the sadness
#624 - our new small fuzzy Young'n

#625 - fun, outdoor playtime
#626 - a cute, smiley girl with a bucket for her belly-ache