What's your Vocation?

"God is love and in Himself He lives a mystery of personal loving communion. Creating the human race in His own image and continually keeping it in being, God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the VOCATION, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion. Love is therefore the fundamental and innate VOCATION of every human being."
(Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul II, The role of the Christian Family in the modern world)

Love is what God has called us to. He created us through love, for love and to give love. Where are your priorities? Are you striving to get to HEAVEN? What's stopping you from achieving your ultimate goal? Remember, if you are a Doctor, that isn't WHO you truly are. The same goes for all other occupations. Who you are is a child of God, created in His own image and likeness, and your VOCATION is LOVE. What you do is not who you are, but who you are as a child of God should affect all you do. God bless.

On the road!

The AHSA Commando's are on the road today. We play our fellow homeschoolers of New Orleans. http://www.wwltv.com/video/news-index.html?nvid=393182 This is their first year and although its only our second we soooo understand where they are coming from. It's hard to get your team up and running but once you have, it can be an amazing journey! To watch these boys come together from different cities, religions and family backgrounds and see how well they gel is phenomenal. We've all become one big family of supporters and we hope to take our team to the ends of the earth to proclaim the Gospel, EPH. 6:16 In all things, take up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. Go TEAM!!! May God continue to bless and keep all of us safe on our journey.

The Verdict is out!

Drake came into contact with some kind of grass he is allergic to. The bumps are going away finally. They sure were scary to say the least. I was afraid of waking up to a balloon in the morning! And also was terribly afraid to go to sleep because my mom said, that however big the swelling is on the outside is how big it swells on the inside! Not the information I wanted to hear, but thankful that she cared enough to share it with me so I could keep and eye on him. God bless all of you!

My Grandmother's Vintage Texas Ware

I just recently pulled these beauties out of the attic. With 4 kids and flowing traffic here, I thought they would get better use. I saved up the breakables and I am quite excited about the colorful addition to our cabinets.

Here are the platters!

Here are the serving dishes.

Coffee or Tea anyone?


Who can tell me what the little blue plate is for?

There you have it!

I hope to be serving some of you in the near future on our Grandmother's Vintage Texas Ware!

God Bless all of you!

What are they?

I cannot stop scratching! Poor thing he's the one with the whelps! If any of you have a clue send it my way! I gave him benadryl and he is in the tub taking a bubble bath!

Speak Lord, your servant is listening.

Until you submit totally to your vocation, you will not submit totally to the will of God. Because it is through your vocation that you become fully open to the divine will for your life. God chose you for a specific endeavor, and once you are in total submission to His will , He can use your life to glorify His name.

God Bless all of you!

Laundry Detergent

If you are like me, you love the smell of fresh clean clothes coming out of the dryer. Not stale, hard and dirty. I started my investigation about 8 months ago on Laundry Detergent. While the TIDE is so high and I'm feeling the pain paying for GAIN, I was determined to find something cheap that works. I've tried more expensive detergent that lasted 2 months but didn't clean the clothes well but smelled great, and I've tried cheap detergent that didn't clean and smelled awful.

Now I think I am on to something. After trying everything under the sun, I've actually picked up a large container of SUN. It cost $6 for 92 loads. I was paying $12-15 dollars for Tide when it only had 40 - 60 loads. I also picked up the SUN Oxygen Cleaner for $5 and 2 boxes of Snuggle fabric softener sheets at $2 a piece. All together I payed around$16 dollars and this has lasted me almost 4 weeks so far and I haven't run out yet. In every load I use the detergent and the oxygen cleaner, then one dryer sheet. I'm also using the suggested amount of detergent. I usually poor a heaping helping plus a little more. My maintenance guy told me twice already that I'm using too much! He would be so proud of me right now.


Well that's all for now ladies. I just wanted to share this tid bit of info with you. I'm trying to cut back on expenses so I will be sharing what I learn as I go. If you have anything you would like to share with me please drop me a line. I would love to hear from you. May God continue to bless all of you!

Taking a Leap of Faith!

Have I mentioned lately how wonderful God is? My husband is starting a new journey Monday morning at 8:15am. He will be a new student at LTC, majoring in Drafting. Upon completion of High School, Danny said this was area of study he wanted to look into. Well here he goes, taking a leap of faith.

I am so proud of him. His spirit has lifted and he has a plan now. Before he was always wondering which way to turn, but now after prayer he is following God's call. By the way, today is SATURDAY, and it just so happens that the lady that gives the entrance exam was at the school today doing paper work when Danny's mom called her. So guess who took their test today and passed it with flying colors????? You got it! NO REMEDIAL CLASSES!

WHOOOOOOOO, now we can get back to school over here. Oh and he will begin to teach our children Math! I love handing that one over. It looks like he will be here with us more and we will be spending lots and lots of family time together. We are embarking on a new journey of learning as a family! Praise God! He is sooooooo awesome! God bless all of you!

The happy medium.

It takes me a while to settle my mind down during my visit to the Blessed Sacrament. But once I managed, I spoke to Jesus about my number one problem. I can't seem to find the happy medium when it comes to my vocation as Wife, then mother of 4. The "What about ME" syndrome of this world seems to creep in every so often. When it comes to the running of the house I fail miserably, I try to get things done according to the needs of everyone, but then my passions start to arise. They raise their weary head and seem to be screaming at me. I've been reminded in confession lately that "PRIDE" was the sin I was dealing with. One of the seven deadliest sins.

Many people think that stay at home moms have it easy. Oh she stays home, she doesn't have to deal with the hard things in this world. She sits around eating bon bons and watches the soaps all day! Well like my Grandmother used to say "let me tell you one thing little girl". It's harder than you think. Imagine sitting in front of a mirror all day long looking at all of your imperfections. Trying to live a holy life, putting God first, and everything else in it's proper order isn't easy. My friend Monica, who I love to quote said, "Being Catholic isn't for wimps!" She is right. It is one thing to know the truth, but it is another to live it! I know God never said it would be easy, in fact He promised it would be a hard path to follow. It's focusing on the path that gets me through it.

Anyway, back to Jesus and my visit with Him. I asked Him, "where is the happy medium?" He told me "MY MOTHER". The easiest path to Jesus is through Mary, His mother. She didn't live her life screaming on mountain tops, "look at me" look at me", no she lived a secluded life. She stayed out of the lime light, and managed to do a wonderful job at raising her son (who really didn't need much help, I mean come on HE was God)!!!!! So what is it about her that made her the "happy medium" ? I will put this in my own words. If we understand that Happiness is not to be found in this world, and we also understand that Jesus created and chose Mary to be His mother, we could say, Jesus chose Mary to bring happiness into eternity. If Mary wouldn't have been a prayerful young lady and understood her faith, she may not have submitted herself to the will of God.

While raising Jesus, I know she felt the joys of motherhood. Watching him run and laugh, His first words, even when she found Him in the temple teaching the elders. (Well, after she got over the shock of loosing him for a couple of days!!!!) Just what am I getting at?? Well, if we are obedient women, constantly seeking to do God's will and putting all of our passions aside as Mary did it may not be all fun and games. It can be hard work and get tiresome. All for what???? To be ultimately happy in Heaven one day like God has promised us. She is our Happy Medium. She will bring us to the place we need to be spiritually to meet Jesus. If God chose her, why can't we? She is the Medium he chose to bring us Life! Let's make an effort to imitate Mary daily. Slowly dying to self. Slowly letting go of all our passions that try to control us. As promised, it won't be easy, but it is the surest path to Heaven! May God bless you all!

P.S. Notice that in the picture above, Mary is holding Jesus, the Shepard, and one of HIS sheep.

Hanging in there.

I've been quite busy these past few days with kitchen remodeling and starting my own business. I'm still in good spirits, and Danny seems to be also. I guess you can say that we are floating right now. The oars are down and we are gliding through the streams of live that God has chosen for us. There will come a time when we'll have to pick up the oars again but for now we are enjoying the ride.

I have an active mind and I'm always analyzing. It can become a problem at times and I've noticed that lately I'm not trying to figure things out. I guess God weeded that out for me and I am so grateful. My main goal right now is still focusing on my vocation as wife and mother. We are doing school and the older boys have been active with work projects in the Country with their Dad and Uncle Cedric.

We have truly been blessed, and are not in need of anything at this time. We have taken on this life as a mission family and we are making the most of it. Simple living is so wonderful. I told someone the other day, I feel like my spiritual eyes are being held wide open by tooth picks. I see way pass what the human eye can see. I speak with Jesus often throughout my day, but what I love is when He communicates with me through other people. Let's make it a point to be a blessing to all that we come in contact with. Jesus wants us to spread the gospel. Most of the time just smiling at someone can move a mountain in their life. Before you hit the pillow tomorrow night, think to yourself, have I been Jesus to anyone today? May God bless all of you!

Things are starting to move......really they are!

Ok, we had a wonderful cat whom Danielle named Pinkie Marie. She had a litter of 7 and we didn't know what we were going to do with them once they were weaned. Well a few weeks ago the children found Pinkie Marie dead in the garage. It looked like she was poisoned. (I won't go there.) Anyway, the kittens were already eating food and drinking water on their own so things were good. A few more weeks and we would have to place them. Well, since Danny lost his job he told me that we needed to work on that soon because cat food can start to get pricey with 7 cats.

Well it was yesterday (Sunday) and we went to 6:00pm mass. When we returned, we realize there were no Kittens. I mean NO kittens to be found. No one called us to pick them up. NOTHING!!! I know Jesus had ascended into heaven, but..................?????? I'm just going to say that we still have no clue where they are. God is good! Now here is another one of those blessings that just keep on coming. Drew had football practice tonight and I told the little ones that if they behaved I would go to Sonic after practice and get them each a SMALL drink. They knew I had a stash of quarters in my console and they were ready to spend them. Well, once we got there they wanted french fries too. I buckled and ordered them a little food along with the drinks and I started to feel bad. Should I spend this money? We have food at home and I should save this in case I need it later. Well low and behold, My aunt Nanette shows up at 8:15pm at Sonic??????. Our food hadn't come out yet so she stopped to visit with us. She said, I was hungry and just decided to come to Sonic. (yeah, uh huh) Well, she got out of her car and handed me the money to pay for the food. I DID NOT ASK HER!!! I already had my money in my hand! Even an extra $1 in quarters to give to my little delivery person. Again I am not telling you all of this in a plea for handouts. I just want you all to know that when you are doing what God wants you to do he will pick up the Tab. Sonic has been a little reward I started with the kids. At least once a week we would go get snow cones or sonic drinks during happy hour. It is a cheap and cool reward on these hot summer days. I guess God knew my intentions to treat the kids for behaving well and he didn't want me to have an regrets about it later. May God bless you all!

He always provides.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

praise shall be always in my mouth.

My soul will glory in the LORD

that the poor may hear and be glad.

Magnify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34; 2-4

My heart wants to burst. Everywhere I turn, God is there. Before I open my mouth to ask, he has fulfilled our needs. I am only sharing this with all of you, because I want to proclaim His greatness. This is not a plea for help!

My mom called me the other day to ask if we needed milk and bread. With a little childlike laughter I said, "you are so silly". She said "well do you". I told her that the kids like milk and bread. She then said, "your probably going to need eggs too, right?" I said, "uhhh ok". Then she proceeded to tell me about the by one get one free meat sale Win-Dixie was having. Needless to say she showed up here with groceries for our family. I told her she didn't have to do that and she bold said to me, "you don't know how long your husband will be out of work"!

She was right. I don't know, but I do have the faith that God is busily at work within our family and he will not leave us abandoned. My faith is that of a child. I guess I have always been that way. I don't have time to worry, I have to take care that my husband and my children are happy and all their needs are met. I have to pull my end, so that Danny and God can do their part. I can't be under their feet.

Anyway, I got away from the point I was trying to make. The very next day when I was cooking one of the roast she brought us, I told Danny I needed to go to the store to pick up some rice, we were out. Well, just as Danny left to go to a football meeting my mom called, she said she had picked up some butter for the bread she brought the day before and also some rice and potatoes to go with meat!!!!!!! I DIDN'T REALIZE GOD MADE HOUSE CALLS!!!

Here is another example of His greatness. One day last week I called Danny "The Pearl of Great Price" because he is a great man, he has almost 15 years experience in his job. He didn't jump from job to job and that showed he was a committed person. He provided for his family, and we were never truly without. Well, a few days later, my wonderful mentor, Mrs. Jennifer Connolly called me. She just wanted to make sure my spirits were up and that I was doing my job in building up my husband. She also wanted to let me know that she was starting a new novena for my husband and our family. She was praying a novena to St. Francis Xavier. She said, he was known as the "Pearl of Great Price"!!!!!! wow! That was like a direct call from GOD, letting me know that He was in control and that in His time Danny would be right where He needed him to be. God is in control, If we would just tend to the responsibilities of our vocations, he will take care of all the rest.

I beg all of you to never give up Hope! Emanuel = God is with us! He is! He didn't create us to do our wills, He has a plan, and if His plan is to be glorified, He has to lead the way! Blind faith will get you where you need to be!

May God bless all of you!

Where do you draw your strength?

Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;

cry out to the rock of our salvation.

Let us greet him with a song of praise,

joyfully sing out our psalms.

Psalm 95: 1-2

I love to listen to christian music and journal in my quiet time with the Lord. Music has always inspired me. I love the beats, and the words that are so creatively put together to get their messages across.

I draw my strength from the Lord and my hope is in Him, and right now Casting Crown's songs are getting me through this rainy season. They are also bringing light to our situation. Their song, Lifesong is sooooo awesome. If you have never listen to them you have to go to utube and check them out!!! In one of my previous blog posts, I mentioned how, when we get to dry land I want to start serving others. What's wrong with NOW?? I don't need money to talk with a person who is lonely. I don't need money to just be there for others. There are so many ways to serve the Lord and He is calling us to service in our times of need. He doesn't want us to give alms from our abundance, but to give freely from our necessities. This is the tithing he calls us too! Everything we have is from the Lord and we cannot turn a blind eye to our gifts. He gives each of us certain gifts, and if we don't use them we cannot glorify Him! I have everything that I

need to reach out to others, and if the cost arises, He will send the funds to pay for it.

All this time, I've been waiting for the perfect time to step out of my comfort zone, and it is only when we've been stripped of that worldly security that we are made truly free to love. This is the time! This is the place! God created all of us for this very moment! What are your gifts? What is God calling you to do? Where do you draw your strength? May God bless all of you!

F-R-O-G (Fully Relying On God)

Well here we are. At the place where we always say we are, but are never truly there until he places us smack dab in the middle of it. We are floating on that lily pad of His, sitting like a small family of Frogs (Fully - Relying - On - God).

My memory isn't usually great, but for SOME reason, I keep playing this one comment, that I made to Danny just last week, over and over in my head; "I want to live like a mission family. I want to fix simple meals and live a really simple life." REALLY???? Did I really say that? Ok, I'll admit it. I did say those exact words. My deepest desire is to be a mission family. I don't feel called to move out of this country, but I do feel called to serve our community and surrounding areas. I guess Danny loosing his job is just the preparation we needed to understand what F-R-O-G really means! My spirits are high, although I hit some low moments. My duty is to build my husband up and make sure that he stays away from the depressed mode as much as possible. I'm also in charge of running our home and following his lead in money matters. I'm working with him on cutting back and making a plan for the (NOW) and the future. Although our relationship was pretty good, we seem to be drawing closer together. The loss of a job and money can often send couples into a raging war, but for us, that's not the case. Our Sacrament of Matrimony is kicking into high gear and we are receiving the graces from it to keep us afloat.

When we get back onto dry ground, my goal is to help others in need. There are so many people out there just wanting someone to talk to, a hot meal, a pair of shoes etc... I hope to extend our hands to those people. We are receiving so much support from family and friends and it is truly humbling. God is always faithful.

Happy those concerned for the

lowly and poor;

when misfortune strikes,

the Lord delivers them.

Psalm 41; 2

May God bless all of you!

The Rainy Season

Blessed is the man that perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test,

he will receive the crown of life that

God has promised to those who love Him.

James 1 : 12

After listening to God speak to me through the Psalms last night, today I realized what he was doing. He was preparing our little family for a big change. Today, Danny lost his job. I thought it was a joke at first, then I saw his eyes when he came home. My husband who loves us more than anything, and wants to provide for his family was crushed. Was it the prayer that I prayed at the beginning of the year? Was it my fault? I prayed for God to move Danny in a powerful way, and to put him in His path. In prayer, I've given God our family time and time again, to do with us what He wills.

Trials are not a sign that God has turned his back on us. Better yet, it is proof that He loves us more than we could ever imagine. Sometimes we stay stagnant and we are scared to make the change that we know would be better for us. God knows our hearts and sometimes he gives us the little nudge that we need. When he closes one door he opens another. We are expecting miracles here. We've prayed, and we are expecting miracles.

Mercy Me has a wonderful song called "bring the rain" and that is just where we are. The rainy season.

" Bring me joy, bring me peace,

bring the chance to be free

bring me anything that brings You glory

and I know there'll be days

when this life brings me pain

but if that's what it takes to Praise you,

Jesus bring the rain"

I do not want to think about where I would be without the faith that God is the one in control. For now, the Fontenot family will be dancing in the rain. We are celebrating the faithfulness of our Husband and Father who provided for us throughout these past 14 years at Petron and we are excited about the new life we will be exploring though the hands of God. Please keep us in your prayers as we will be doing the same for you! May God bless you all!!

Sometimes God uses Numbers

Dylan has been playing football now for 6 or so years and his number has been "70". Well, my little man has grown larger in the chest and arms and needs a new jersey, but there was a catch! He had to change his number. It will be 51! I wish one day to be as humble as he is. Or should I say unselfish? You could tell he wasn't excited, but he gave the usual "Sure" and went on his way with his new jersey and number. After his dad gave him his number "51" jersey, a light bulb went off! I told Dylan to read Psalms 51! Maybe God wanted to tell him something.

Psalms 51
The Miserer: Prayer of Repentance

I
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleans me. For I know my offense; my sin is always before me. Against you alone have I sinned; I have done such evil in your sight. That you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me. Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom. cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
II
Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt. A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit. Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit. I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you. Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power. Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise. For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, God is a broken spirit; God do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
III
Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice, burnt offerings and holocausts; then bullocks will be offered on your alter.

For the past few days Dylan has been sick. He spent all of last week with a wonderful group of people. He went to Faith camp at big woods and was mingling with people who had swine flu and other illnesses and didn't know it. Lots of boys and girls from camp have been sick, but all have said it was worth it. Faith Camp this year was awesome and they saw God move in a mighty way. Psalms 51 asks for God to forgive us our sins and give us a willing spirit. God is bringing up a new generation of Kingdom builders. "I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you" This will not come to pass without suffering. For all of the children and parents that are suffering right now with illness, may God bless and keep you, "that my tongue may praise your healing power"

Mondays Rock!!!

Well guys, School is in session here at St. Francis of Assisi Academy. We are trying a different approach to learning this year! One subject a day, all day long, and lots of hands on and creative avenues to exploring our world. I gathered all of our subjects into a hat and Drew pulled them one by one. Monday - Science, Tuesday - History, Wednesday - Spelling and Grammar, Thursday - Math, and Friday - Reading and Creative writing. I am SO excited about this year. We will begin each day with Prayer and Religion. We will be learning lots about the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion because Drew is going to receive them this year!!!! Go Drew!!!!

I will also incorporate Water Color Journaling into our subjects. This will help their creative juices to start flowing. A whole lot less of electronics and a whole lot more of using our marbles! Like they say "you snooze, you loose" well I want them to gain!!!! God gave each one of us specific gifts that we will need out there in the world and if we smother them with the TV, electronic games, and other worldly distractions, we will not reach our full potential! Praise God for all that we have, all that we are and all that we will come to be through HIM!!! So if you see this strange family out there with their magnifier and spy ware attire, it's just the Fontenot family searching for the fullness of the truth given to us by our Lord and Creator! May God bless and keep all of you!

Do you have time for Me?

This is one of my favorite pictures of Pope John Paul II. I have used it for meditation before. Jesus is the light of the world, and in this picture it looks as if JP II is spending a little one on one time with Him.

During our couple's prayer meeting tonight someone mentioned how when they were little, they remember sitting on the front porch with their family and waving at people passing by. "Would someone stop to visit with us?" This world we live in today is toooo busy! Too busy to stop and visit friends or family. Too busy to visit with an elderly neighbor. Too busy to visit with a dying person. Just simply too busy. I'm guilty as charged!! If we could just get back to the simple life, where what we have is just enough, and family is first, I believe that this world would be a better place. If the original ORDER of life that God put forth for us to follow would be reinstated, we as a people would be better off. God first, husband, children, jobs... etc. There was a reason for that order, just as there is a reason why we tell our children to follow certain rules.

There is someone very important waiting to visit with you. He just simply sits and waits. Do you have a minute to share with Him? Find an adoration chapel near you. Just walk in and sit down. Talk to him like you would talk to a friend. He has so much to say to you and all you have to do is listen. He loves you, and so do I. May God bless all of you!