Someone who can relate

Last Sunday after Mass, I thought to myself, "I wonder if there is a Saint that I can ask to pray for me who had what I have (Ulcerative Colitis or UC)."  Because after all, we are all connected in the mystical body of Christ.

I started googling and came across someone who had UC that has been declared as "Blessed". (In the Catholic Church, there are several steps to being declared a Saint.  Here is some info on that.)  Anyway, I found this guy named Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago.  Here is more info on his life story.  Pretty neat guy.  By the way, he's the first lay person in the history of the U.S. and second person in the Western Hemisphere to be declared Blessed.

While I didn't find someone that had been declared a Saint that had UC, the Lord led me to Blessed Carlos Manuel.  He knows what it's like to suffer with UC, and he's been declared Blessed, meaning that one more miracle attributed to his intercession is needed in order for him to be declared a Saint (layman terms: he's in heaven and we can ask him to pray for us!).  So, I thought, maybe I could ask him to pray for my healing. How awesome would that be?

With that said, I ask for your prayers, and I also ask you to ask Blessed Carlos Manuel to pray for my healing.

Regardless of whether the Lord heals me or not, I know that His grace is sufficient and he will always give us what we need.  It is a blessing to know that we do not struggle alone, no matter what we go through, and no matter what crosses we bear. 

As Father said at Mass last Sunday, we should look for the goodness in our suffering.  I don't know about you, but I know that's about the last thing I think of most days when it comes to suffering.  It can be a rough journey, but one blessing and source of goodness I see from my "cross" is that it helps me to slow down in life and be grateful for the little things.

So keep praying, and may we remember that God is in control.

Pima Prickly Park

Today's fun consisted of enjoying a Chocolate Extreme Blizzard from DQ at our neighborhood park (chocolate fix, check), watching a movie called "Reunion" on our comfy lazy boys, and touring a nearby park around sunset called Pima Prickly Park.  I think the best part at the park was seeing a coyote.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a great pic, but that's ok. Here's a few pics from the park.

First off, things we did not see.  Can't say I'm sad about not seeing the rattlesnake!  By the way, I think the desert spiny lizard is the one that I often see hanging out in our backyard.

Now, onto the educational part.

Ocotillo.

Above pic.

Yucca.

Nichol's hedgehog.

Fish-hook barrel cactus.

Saguarohenge, one of my favorite parts.

Above pic.

Agave lechuguilla.

More fish-hook barrel.

Teddy bear Cholla.  Somehow not what I think of when I think of a teddy bear.

Jumping cholla.

Ok, I think that's enough cacti.  Who knew there could be so many kinds, although I'm sure there are many more.

Our good friend bunny.

I think it was a cottontail?

Or was it one of these?

Pretty.

Here is where Matthew started reciting the Robert Frost poem, "The Road not Taken".

Mr. Coyote.  He got away pretty quick so I only got his back side as he ran from us.

Pretty cactus.

 And finally, a few sunset pics taken as we toured the park.

Hoping to see some stars tonight now that we have our telescope set up.  We shall see!

Minerals and Planetarium

We found a little treasure on the U of A campus at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium.

The fun started with the sundial.  Super cool and, yes, it was about 1:30.

We saw a lot of beautiful minerals.  They had a special display of minerals from China, and most of them belonged to just one guy!

Matthew liked this one.

Loved this one's shape.

Yes, must watch out for those on early morning runs.

Down the stairs to see more minerals.

Super big rock!

I thought the shape of this one was interesting.

I liked how this turquoise was carved.

Meteorites.

Gold!

Radioactive!

Rocks from the moon!

Opal.  Just for you, Mom.

Turquoise, also for you, Mom =).

Fossils.

Fossils and dinosaur bones.

Inside the Planetarium, we learned about Saturn and various constellations and saw a laser patriotic show.

Summary view.  Learned some and much more enjoyable than college geology!