WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE?

Posted on August 5, 2016 by marygrace

Beloved,

I never thought I would live to see this day. When I heard on the news that Pope Francis was seriously looking into having women deacons in the Catholic Church, I almost choked. When I was a little girl, the biggest thrill for me was to be able to go to church every morning during Lent.. At that time, we had to fast from Midnight on before receiving Communion so my mom would make me egg salad sandwiches with hot cocoa which I would bring with me and eat after Mass and Communion. Now that I am an adult, I realize that I probably could have gone to Mass every day even if it was not in Lent, but at that age, I was only thankful that I could do it during that special time.

I fell in love with Jesus (Jeshua) and he was the only one I prayed to. God, he was OK, Mother Mary, she was OK but Jesus, HE was my guy. Do you know that I have a license plate on my car that reads: JESUS IS MY GUY. No kidding. Back as a child, little girls were not allowed up on the altar. Only boys could as altar boys as they were called then. Today the little girls get to go up on the altar and all of them are called altar servers. It certainly was a male dominated era. Even though, the nuns were female and taking care of the altar, they were allowed only to do the work so the priests could do what was considered important. It sounds so medieval as I write this.

20 years ago, I achieved my dream of being on the altar where things look so different as you see the altar more clearly without all the people’s heads in the way. And you see the rest of the church from a different angle. Before this, I always tried to sit in the front pew so I could “feel” more like I was part of the ceremony taking place.

Since I was young, I have been terrified of microphones. In fact, at one house party with other married friends, they liked to pass around a microphone to everyone but I always went to the bathroom when it was my turn. Evidently that was noticed and one night, before I could get away, they pushed the microphone in front of my face. Guess what I did? I broke down in the “ugly” cry, I was so terrified. I was so embarrassed. I was terrified of spiders too and many other things. When I got more mature, I made a promise to myself that I would conquer all my fears. After all, they were just in my head, weren’t they?

My brother tortured me with spiders as a child so I concentrated on that fear first. I would use my husband’s shoes for a year which was a big step as I would usually run from them. Then I graduated to using my own shoes and eventually graduated to accepting them and left them alone to be who they were. I became a Reiki Master which meant taking vows to honor ALL life including the insects and spiders. I found out later that they are a symbol for money or abundance.

I then focused on conquering my fear of public speaking and microphones. First I joined Toastmasters, a group where you learn to speak in front of others which of course meant handling and dealing with a microphone. I even won a humorous contest in Toastmasters while going through a divorce. I was on my way. I became a Eucharist Minister who gives Communion so that I could face people one on one and give them such a precious gift at the same time. Then I became a lector at church which terrified me, it meant facing the whole congregation. In Toastmasters, I only had to face other people who had the same fear. The first time, I was so nervous and my stomach and knees let me know that. I was still shaking after Mass when people kept coming up to me and saying: “I could hear you. I could understand you!”. I suddenly realized that my greatest fear was my greatest gift to the world. It seems my voice resonates at a tone that even the hard of hearing can hear clearly. What an awakening that was. With those two skills, I was allowed on the altar.

I remember when my church put out the ad looking for prospective deacons only a short 10 years ago. I asked about female deacons but they were not even in consideration at that time. I guess I am a female rebel at heart as I believe that all people should be considered equal. I am not able physically to fulfill the role of deacon now but I am ecstatic that other women will have the opportunity to participate in the religious ceremonies in a deeper capacity. Hoorah! Another win for womanhood and another big milestone conquered. Have you noticed just how much women have gained the right to be equal, at least in the USA. We even have a female Presidential Candidate. NOW, let’s spread it around the world.

I have tried hard to conquer all my weaknesses but have to admit, I still have more to go. I liked this message from Eckhart Tolle and his explanation of why we still have some lingering challenges.

http://spiritlibrary.com/eckhart-tolle/can-the-ego-become-stronger-as-one-grows-more-conscious?utm_source=Spirit+Library+Updates&utm_campaign=21a9acc944-Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef6a5211f4-21a9acc944-120804410.

A solution to the chaos that is happening world wide.

http://spiritlibrary.com/videos/jim-self/questions-for-jim-how-should-i-handle-the-coming-challenges?utm_source=Spirit+Library+Updates&utm_campaign=21a9acc944-Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef6a5211f4-21a9acc944-120804410

Why was this not published on the media?

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/muslims-go-catholic-mass-across-france-show-solidarity-priests-murder/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=03-08-2016

What a wonderful way to display reciprocity although it was not the original intent.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/employees-thank-ceo-70k-minimum-wage-70k-tesla/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=03-08-2016

THERE IS A BRIDGE!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho92k2CKNh0

—
Love and Light

Mary Grace

http://www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Posted on January 22, 2016 by marygrace

Beloved,

Yesterday, I kept pondering what I would write in my newsletter. I usually do not know ahead of time as I just ask guidance to come through me to allow me to inspire you to love yourself and yet understand this human condition a little more, sometimes with humor. It was a little puzzling to me that I kept asking myself what I would write. Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.

I woke this morning from a horrific nightmare and although I awoke from the dream, I could not seem to wake up from the feelings that were generated. We all have our fears and they usually stem back to something that happened in childhood. I usually sleep very well and bad dreams are rare but this morning, the feelings are so vivid that it is another opportunity to look at what happened and release those feelings that I no longer need. One gift I received was the awareness of the childhood incident that evidently was embedded in my psyche.

My nightmares are usually about me getting lost and not knowing where to go, feeling trapped in a situation that I cannot remedy. When I was 6 or 7, I went on a trip with my class to Bennefort, Maine to check out a school where we not only got our high school education but also training for the nunnery profession. Ever since I learned about Jesus, I fell in love with Him and wanted nothing more than to be with him for the rest of my life. Of course, at the same time, I had a knowing that my mission was to be a mother and I also wanted that profession. At that early age, I could not figure anything out so I just went with my feelings. I was in the school bus with all the kids and my dad was driving the nuns from my school in a separate car.

On the trip back, several of us children needed to go to the bathroom and as we were in a city, the bus stopped and we needed to cross the busy street to find a restaurant that held a bathroom. Of course, an adult accompanied us children. I was last in the line waiting for an open stall (are there not always lines of females in the bathroom?) When I came out, there was nobody I knew there. I rushed outside and still there was no one waiting for me. I panicked, of course, and walked around in a circle trying to tell myself that someone would come for me. I was absolutely terrified even though there were many people on the sidewalk but I did NOT know any of them. My mother had always told me that if I got lost, to just STAY right where I was and they would find me. I knew the bus had been across the street so maybe I should go there but then with my mom’s warning in my head, I stayed right where I was left, in front of the restaurant.

Because I was with the children, my father was unaware that I was not on the bus and with all the other children; no one noticed I was not there. Eventually, they discovered it and my dad and the nuns in the car started to look for me. They kept going back to where the bus was and with the traffic never saw me on the opposite side of the street. It took 1-2 hours for them to finally notice me. Do you know how long that is to a child who feels abandoned and terrified?

When they finally found me, I got a severe scolding from my dad; he blamed me for not staying where the bus had been parked. Of course, now, as an adult, I understand it was his fear speaking but at the moment I felt abandoned again by my dad. He never even hugged me or said he was happy he found me.

So…most of my nightmares are about being lost and not knowing the right path to freedom. Last night I again dreamed of not being able to find my way and although I went through many scenarios in the dream which made me physically sweat as I tried to plow my way through a field of tough grass almost shoulder level. Again, I needed to go to the bathroom so I went into a stall and a young boy kept crying to his mom about a “kaun” that he had left in the stall I was in. I suddenly realized he was talking about a “Leprechaun” since I saw the stuffed puppet hanging on a hook. I rushed out to give it to him but could not find him. I kept looking then realized that I had left my shoes and pocket book back in the stall so I started to try to return to the bathroom but I could not find it. Again, in my dreams, I am late for something I was supposed to do. Last night, I had only been outside on a work break for work, so I was way overdue to be back at work and I know my supervisor (male) was furious that I was not there. Why do dreams always seem so real when we are in them? Is it another reality?

One of the fears that I am releasing is the panic when I am not on time for some occasion. In real life, I am usually early so as not to be late. I received an awareness of why I always do that by having this nightmare. Now I can face this facet that was created as a young child and I can now comfort my small inner child in her panic and fear. I not only woke up from my nightmare but I have a new awakening of one of my greatest fears. You are never too old to find out something new about yourself.

What are your nightmares about? My husband used to say I could pass up everything but a bathroom. Perhaps I was trying to prove to my little girl that she was safe because I was protecting her?

http://spiritlibrary.com/videos/jim-self/questions-for-jim-everyone-is-feeling-the-changes-waking-up

This message has deeper meaning for me now, after that dream. Perhaps it will help you find peace and grace.

http://spiritlibrary.com/ann-albers/trust-you-are-cared-for?utm_source=Spirit+Library+Updates&utm_campaign=f2d4c45fba-Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef6a5211f4-f2d4c45fba-120804410

Look outside to see this marvelous phenomenon. It is worth waking up a little earlier to get to see this.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/planets-line-up-for-spectacular-sky-show-first-time-since-2005/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=20-01-2016

This made me laugh. Even as I could not understand each word said, the laughing and joy is contagious.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/hello-adele-reveals-shes-a-spice-girls-fan-and-monster-rapper/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=20-01-2016

Were you alive when Betty White was born? Is there anyone who does not know who Betty White is? She is quite an icon and I hope to be like her when I get to her age. She IS ageless.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/events070117/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=20-01-2016

—
Love and Light

Mary Grace

http://www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com

IS HAPPINESS YOURS FOR KEEPS?

Posted on July 17, 2015 by marygrace

Beloved,

Summer is finally here even if only for a short while. It was 45 degrees last night but today is already 70 degrees so the cool nights are not too bad. I love to kayak which I can do most of the year but going in the water is something else. Once the nights get warmer around 55-65 degrees, the water warms up. It is the warm nights that warm the water and why the water cools down even if the days are in the 80’s.I am enjoying going in the water because it seems to be such a short time before fall is here.

Do you remember when I used to tell you about the Canadian geese and my attempts to keep them from coming to our beach? If it wasn’t for their poop, they would be more welcome. Well, another crusader to ban the geese has come to take over for me. She is our new treasurer and is adamant that she is tired of raking up the poop and will find a way to deter them. She wanted to try the whirly gigs that turn with a breeze so I offered mine to her to try so she wouldn’t have to buy them. They work well for me when the baby geese are small and they crawl under the fence. Since they can’t fly, the parents need to come over the fence and herd them back, leaving their markings on my grass. This year I did not need to use them as the babies did not come that close to the fence, maybe the geese parents remember and keep them from it now. Since I had tried them on the beach and they did not work, I did not hold out too much hope but she wanted to try.

I watched as the geese stayed in the circle of water created by the buoys that keep boats out of the swimming area. They would venture forward to see what would happen and when nothing did, they proceeded as usual. Yesterday I noticed something brown on the beach and it seemed hunched over but I could not make out the details even with my binoculars. So I went out this morning to see exactly what it was. I had been watching the geese and they were staying away from it except for one who decided he was going to be the one to test the waters. There is always one in every crowd, isn’t there, that will go where no one else wants to go? I was chuckling as slowly he would get closer and nothing happened. The other geese settled on the beach further away but this one decided to pretend to be eating the grass as it inched closer and closer to this thing. When nothing happened and that thing did not move, they all settled down to munching.

I thought it was worthy of chuckles so I wanted to share it with you. I went down to see what it actually was and it turned out to be a plastic coyote or fox. It was hard plastic and hunched over in body form with the face close to the ground with a snarling mouth that show teeth and the tail was dragging on the ground. That made me laugh at loud. If a decoy does not move, it is not real to the predator. This coyote/fox needed to be higher up so the breeze could make it move. A couple of years ago (before this person was on board), we had tried a fox/coyote as they were supposed to scare geese away. We tried only one on one side of the beach to see if it would work. This one had fur and the head moved and so did the beautiful fur tail when the wind would blow. It had seemed to be working, at least on one side of the beach and all of a sudden, it disappeared. Someone stole it and we never did find it again. This woman is very dedicated to getting rid of the geese and I had told her all we had done but nothing worked. I had suggested a floating swan as geese are afraid of it and one of our neighbors has put one in the water near their raft and it appeared to work. The movement of the water made it move around so the geese never knew where it would be. Perhaps her next attempt will be a swan. I hope so as I feel that will work but it is great to have someone trying so hard to alter this one drawback of having a beach. I cannot chase the geese anymore as I can’t walk that much without pain. They used to know my voice and if I hollered “GO” from my deck they would leave most of the time. But they are smart and they would test me occasionally to see if I would actually walk down there to scare them away. I used to carry a pail so I could throw water at them which would make a splash and frighten them. Yet they knew when I wasn’t home. They would even see me leave so they could come and when my car turned on the street, they would skedaddle. They are smart and good adversaries. Animals are so much fun unless they are invading your territory.

Abraham Hicks has words of wisdom that are powerful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1baKetepJBk

This will give you a feeling of what it is to be happy. This music makes you want to dance. I can’t do what they do, can you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZhnOrR9QV8

Here is another explanation or perspective of possibility.

http://spiritlibrary.com/videos/jim-self/why-dont-i-get-what-i-want-part-one

Would you call being emotional an opportunity to be happy?

http://spiritlibrary.com/kari-samuels/are-you-feeling-more-emotional-lately?utm_source=Spirit+Library+Updates&utm_campaign=8e938ad1e5-Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef6a5211f4-8e938ad1e5-120804410

What an example of what can happen when you believe in yourself enough to be happy.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/update-homeless-piano-player-gets-a-makeover-and-paying-gig/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=15-07-2015

Love and Light,

Mary Grace