A Sign... (a painted finish)

After I made the cross earlier in the week, I decided to expand my experience and paint a few scrap boards and add a Bible quote on each. No reason for it, I just like the idea.

After digging through Richard's small pile of scrap lumber, I sanded down the pieces I chose and painted them using craft paint. I was going for a watery feel. Or maybe a sunset. Whatever it wants to be.



Except this small pink one on the right. Nope, not liking it so I've repainted over some of the orange and red stripes. But even so, it needs more work. The one on the left, however, sings my song! I've already added a quote.

Choosing a favorite quote, just one, that's impossible I suppose. So I didn't. Instead I picked out several used them all. In all but two I used a deep brown vinyl because I've been unable to find black vinyl in any of the local stores. 

There was a little bit of black left over from a previous project so I squeezed in this phrase that my mom used to say all the time. Even when we grew up, she would sign cards and letters, with her favorite closing: Say your prayers. I couldn't resist.

There are still a couple of boards that are painted, but cutting and weeding the letters is time-consuming. And I make mistakes that makes the process more difficult. Hopefully, I'll figure out all the steps and get it right soon. But really, I'm having fun and who knows where this might lead. For me, it's all over the place all the time. (Hmm, maybe that should go on a sign.) What do you think? Are they Pinterest-worthy or an "Epic Pinterest Fail"?

St. Therese of Lisieux

Know what I've been up to? Babysitting for the summer, quilting (yeah!), and a few projects for our church. This year marks the 90th Anniversary for the Church of the Little Flower. The Little Flower refers to St. Therese of Lisieux, who wrote about and practiced what she called "the little way."

She believed strongly that not everyone could become a great saint, one whose name will forever be remembered.


She practiced and wrote about how the small, everyday duties of life could be one way to achieve heaven. Rather than just wash dishes because the dishes are dirty, wash them because doing so is a way to serve the others in the family. Take on chores that no one wants to do, so that your love for others is manifested in your duties to them. By loving the ones around you, you are loving Christ Himself.

Many of our parishioners have spent the year learning about and trying to take on some of the teachings of St. Therese. Some of the ways we have done this include: 

• reading her autobiography
• studying and discussing her teachings
• reviewing her quotes, which are published in the weekly bulletin
• discussions of her life and the lives of her family
• giving her a more prominent role in the life of our church

So far it has made a difference in our lives here at the Marcotte lot. Richard and I have found opportunities to share St. Therese's life with our children and grandchildren. 

We've also found that by being mindful of the little ways we can show love to each other has allowed us to be less critical and disagreeable with each other. Hopefully our behavior will influence others in our lives who watch us. 

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from St. Therese:

"Love proves itself by deeds....The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."

Fearful weather and fitful nights

Keeping the thousands of people affected by the flooding in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the surrounding areas in our thoughts and prayers.  

It's a bit past 4 a.m. and the thunder and lightening has me sitting up worried about those in low-lying areas. They have fled their homes already, hopefully, and are suffering a fitful night of fear for their homes, animals and memories. 

May they return home quickly and safely.

Pin It Weekly #102

Goodness, I almost missed the whole week! Two days of Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and grandchildren will do that to a person.  

But now Lent has begun and we've become busy with retreats, Way of the Cross, and praying the Rosary.  I thought it would be a good idea to find a few pins that I can share with friends on FB and use in my prayer life during the Lenten season.  

Mother Teresa of Calcutta