The Holy Spirit in my Life (Continued)

I continued attending the Prayer Meeting.  A few weeks after my first meeting, a leader asked me if I’d like to receive the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.”  I hesitated and then thought, “How will I ever know if this is real, if I don’t accept.”  So, I sat in a chair and some people prayed with me.   I thanked them and went home.  Every night as the children were going to bed, we prayed our night prayers … a normal occurrence.  I had a special prayer time after they were asleep, and my husband was at work.  After the Prayer Group people prayed over me for this “Baptism of the Spirit” I purchased some books written by Evangelicals regarding this experience because I could not find a Catholic book on the subject.  Every book I read said I had to repent.  Since I believed I was a good Catholic, I couldn’t relate.  However, the uneasiness about repenting kept bothering me.  Finally, after four evenings of this uneasiness, I got on my knees and told God that I repented of everything I had ever done and started to cry.  Suddenly, I experienced a peace that I never felt before.  It was indescribable. 

Attendance at these prayer meetings were becoming a "must." People prayimg in ‘tongues’ just like in the Book of Acts in the Bible was no longer strange.  The first time I heard it, I quickly stifled a giggle, because it was strange.  I didn’t want to be rude.  About eight weeks later, I was doing my dishes and praying.  The children were playing in the next room.  As I prayed, strange syllables came into my mind.  I was unsure if that might be the “Gift of Tongues” that the prayer meeting people talked about.  I had been invited to a prayer meeting at Terry’s house, so I decided to attend and ask if what I those syllables in my mind, was truly from God.  I didn’t trust myself.  So that evening, after the people were finished praying, I asked Terry.  She told some people already helping themselves to refreshments.  They joined me in the living room to pray.  I sat on the couch and they began to pray for me.  I finally said the syllables I received the previous week and the man who seemed to be the leader nodded.  I’ve been praying that way for years now. Aside from being a blessing, it strengthened my Faith.  After all, the Holy Spirit knows just what to pray.

Shortly thereafter, on a Sunday night, as my husband watched TV, I went to the bedroom to pray.  As I prayed, the words, “Tell Terry I will bless her with a child.”  Remember, I said that I was a reserved Catholic.  These words, so distant from anything I would think about while I prayed, unnerved me.  I went out to tell my husband.  I knew Terry from prayer meeting, but not well.  How do you share this with someone you hardly know?  My husband shrugged his shoulders and said, “Do what you want.”  So, I pondered the words very seriously.  I couldn’t insult God, if the words came from Him, and not deliver the words to Terry.  The next Sunday, I called and asked Terry if I could visit her.  I drove the 25 miles and knocked on her door … truthfully with trepidation.  When her husband opened the door and invited me in, I was extremely nervous.  We sat down in their living room.  I told Terry the words I received.  They both laughed.  One of them told me, “Oh Cathi, you are the third person to come to us with those words.”  I was so relieved.  I didn’t know Terry well, but she had been very ill with something the doctors could not identify.  They had to hire a cleaning woman because Terry had absolutely no strength. The cleaning woman asked Terry if she and friends from her Church could come and pray with her.  Terry started to improve, but also was introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus.   Years later, they would call it Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They had a seven year old son.  This second son was born the next year.

 (To be continued)

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com)

 

 

The Holy Spirit in my Life (Continued)

 Becoming Charismatic:

In 1971, I woke up to the fact that I had to be the one to teach our children our Catholic Faith.  After several months of praying the St. Jude Novena, I found a book, “Catholic Charismatics.”  It recounted that people were receiving healings and answered prayers.  Something I could not say I knew about, except for the account of my mother’s healing from Scarlet Fever.  I was told that in 1935 my mother was in the Hospital for Contagious Diseases and had a fever of 107 degrees for 10 days.  My father thought that the doctors were letting her die, so he contacted her only sister in the United States to tell her.  She said she would go immediately to the Shrine of St. Therese, the Little Flower to request a Mass for her healing.  My father then went to see his neighbor, a Baptist, who was a surgical nurse.  He told her of my mother’s condition.  She phoned the Surgeon for whom she worked, who immediately left his office and drove to the Hospital where my mother was staying.  He ordered blood transfusions which saved her life.  The surgeon sacrificed in doing this, because he could not enter the hospital where he practiced for two days following a visit to my mother’s hospital.  My mother lived with a clot in the main artery of her left leg, for the rest of her life, knowing that if it moved, she would mostly likely die.  She had two more children despite the doctor’s warnings.  At her eightieth birthday, she commented that she had asked God to let her live to raise her children, and now her great-grandchild was attending her Birthday party.  My mother lived until she was 83 years old.

After four months of reading “Catholic Charismatics”, I determined to find a group like the people noted in the book.  So, one Sunday after Mass, I asked a visiting Priest from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Seminary how to find a group.  He referred me to a prayer meeting held every Friday night in a Franciscan Monastery that was about 25 miles away.  Attending this Prayer Meeting required planning on my part as we only had one car.  My husband was attending college during the day before going to work on the second shift at IBM.  So, on that Friday I would drive with my husband and children to the college 35 miles away.  Then, the children and I would drive home and later, return to the college before 4:00pm to drive my husband to work.   After driving him to work, we would return home and I would feed my children their supper.  I hired a neighborhood college age girl to babysit. This was the first night I ever left my children with someone who wasn’t a family member.  When the children were settled, I drove to the prayer meeting.  Afterwards, I drove 50 miles to get my husband from work and we drove the 24 miles home.  I had driven approximately 155 miles that day!

The prayer meeting was unlike anything I ever experienced.  I was a reserved Catholic and not used to people praying aloud.  I repeated this ”Friday” trip three times.  I wanted to continue attending, but it was so tiring.  That night I prayed to God for a second car.   The following morning, I received a call from my sister in New Jersey.  She had just had brake work done on her car, a Pontiac Tempest, and decided to purchase a new car.  She asked if I wanted the Tempest.  I was so shocked at that quick answer to prayer.  A short while later we had the second car. 

 (To be continued)

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com)

 

 

The Holy Spirit in my Life

In mid-March 2020, I was praying when, I received a message (in words, not auditory) from Jesus.  He said in a strong, yet sober way, “My Father is Angry.”  I took that to mean, in the present day with many people not putting God first in their lives. On June 8, 2020, while praying the Divine Mercy prayers, I sensed that the Holy Spirit was sad. The understanding I received was that He was sad because so many Christians (including Catholics) do not know how much He is willing to help them in a personal way.  When I received Confirmation many years ago, we were taught that we were going to be soldiers for Christ. But it is my understanding that The Holy Spirit strengthens, actively guides, and leads us on our journey to our Heavenly home. 

 

I’m sharing my experiences because I believe that God intends all his people to have this everyday relationship with which I have been so blessed. Since the time span is 49 years I can’t recall all of the times that God chose to use me for something. It became quite normal until my life was put in a tailspin by life events. With that said, God has been very gracious and forgiving to me. And His Holy Spirit is always helping me. Even though I may be reaching an age when death is possible, I always remind my children and grandchildren that I’ve asked to live until I’m 96. I honestly believe I have more to do.  That’s why I like Alpha and ChristLife programs.

 

(To be continued)

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com)

 

Don't Be So Heavenly Minded that You're no Earthly Good

In years past, we'd hear people caution us, “Don’t be so Heavenly minded…”  I'd like to suggest that we look at this sentence in another way, such as "Don't be so earthly minded, that you aren't so Heavenly good." 

During this time of scary isolation, I'm suggesting that we think of our relationship to God.  Governmental rules that we may not like have been put in place for our good.  On the whole, Americans are a very compassionate people. We don't want anyone to deal with death, much less a horrible one.

The United States is a very blessed Nation.  We, Americans, can usually go wherever we want, do whatever we want, and live wherever we want.  Right now, we are constrained in a type of medical warfare with COVID-19.  The reason for containment is to stop the spread of this strange respiratory virus.  Many must work from home, attend school from home, depend on others for food and other necessities, or order these items from home.  Stay-at-home is all we hear. Home, home, home.  That's all we hear from the TV.  Frankly, I'm an active person and tired of hearing it.  But, for the good of others, I adhere to the Government's rules.

Now, God has rules for our own good ... the Ten Commandments.  Some obey them while others run from them.  They are intended to help us live good lives.  Even unbelievers don't really mind them because following these commandments provides a good living environment.  People generally just go about their business not even thinking of these rules.  They can break most of these rules, that is, the ones that don't fall under any governmental law, without a thought.  But when trouble comes, most people start to look for solutions.  People get upset and don't know where to turn.  Many people think of God.

Where is God, you might ask?  He is everywhere, but He's not pushy.  He resides in the hearts of many.  With people who don't believe, He waits in the wings to be invited into our lives.  People pray for solutions … some get answers, some don't.  Those who get answers, sometimes say thanks, and get on with their lives.  Some who don't, may curse God, get mad or bitter, and then, get on with their lives.

During this period of separation from others is a perfect time to think about God.  Who is He; what relevance does He have to us and our lives?  If you weren't raised in a religious household, the Bible is a good way to start.  If you were taught about God when you were very young, you have a foundation.  You might have a relationship with God through Jesus. That's wonderful.  It's recorded in the Bible that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John14:6)  Hopefully, you've kept that friendship alive.  If not, this week, Holy Week, is an opportunity to think and pray about it.  There's no reason to worry, just talk to God as you would share with a friend.  The Bible, in Isaiah 53:6, tells us that "All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We've left God's paths to follow our own..." God just waits for us to turn to Him. 

This Holy Week, we are invited to think of Jesus and how he paid the price for every action that we know in our heart of hearts to have been wrong, selfish or hurtful.  After Jesus died, three days later, He rose from the dead. When it was time for Jesus to return to Heaven, He said He would send the Holy Spirit to help us stay close to God (John 14:15-31).  The Holy Spirit will assist you to reflect. Just have a conversation with Him. And, remember that "we're all in the same boat, so to speak."  I'm a sinner saved by the grace and mercy of a dear and gracious Friend, God.

Have a Blessed Easter.

 

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com)

September 11, 2001

 God bless our Military and first responders who, in my opinion, pay the price at the behest of deeply ingrained politicians in Washington who do NOT put American citizens first. Thirty (30) to forty-seven (47) years in office gives them the idea that American citizens are their 'chattels'. I pray that we teach our children and future generations to stand for liberty and for the Pledge of Allegiance with their hand on their heart.  I pray that we scrutinize and divest ourselves of life-long, 'out of touch with the American people', career politicians and their weighted staff, who write those pork-filled bills and are accustomed to high salaries and 'gifts' from Lobbyists. In plain English, nothing has changed in 20 years.

How many of our Vietnam veterans and younger Middle East veterans have suffered and/or died because of decisions made by long-term self-serving politicians in Washington?  While I'm only one American citizen, I thank our active and former service members for dedicating their lives to this great Nation.  

When you see people are illegally entering our borders, do you think about why they are coming?  They still see the United States of America as a bastion of Freedom ... as a "shining City on a Hill."

Please join me join today in praying for the families of those we have lost, first-responders, military, and American citizens.  Please take the time to read this complete blog.  Never again, should Americans or any people have to experience such horror.

Below was originally posted on September 11, 2019

While many of us remember the day well, there are people who scoff at that fateful day.  That day was not incidental, a 'SOMETHING' as our enemies would have us believe, and in my opinion, our enemies 'within.'  We must continue being wary and alert.  We must continue telling anyone who will listen, especially our high school age children who weren't even born at that time.

Now that I'm older, I don't have to remove my shoes. I don't get patted down. However, I must empty my carry-on of everything and anything that an evil person or persons might use to harm innocent people.  Yes, I'm a believer in "The Wall".  I'm a believer in being kind to others, but vigilant on keeping out those intent on harming us and those who hate our way of life ... out of our great land.  People who aren't happy here are free to leave.  It's time for our "mealy-mouthed, do nothing" leaders in Congress to put the safety of Americans first, or be voted out.  Remember, they've had 18 years and still quibble.  Your vote matters.

The following is a reprint of my post of Sept.11, 2010.

No American civilian should ever have to experience the events of 9/11 on American soil. And, my experience of that day is in no way comparable to the heartache of the families of the victims. The following is just my personal recollection of that day.

As my train pulled into Grand Central Station that morning, I heard some buzz from other commuters. But, it was none of my business so I just got off the train and walked the underground tunnel to the Forty-fifth Street exit. As I walked up Madison Avenue, I saw a throng of people standing around a bank looking at a TV. As I tried to see that they were looking at, somehow I got the message that something happened at the World Trade Center. I remember looking in that direction, seeing smoke, and trying to use my phone, and then, trying my Blackberry. No signal. I proceeded north to my office on 52nd St. When I arrived, I saw that I had a message from my daughter who worked near the World Trade Center. However, I could not reach her since I had no phone service.

I proceeded to work. A short while later, I heard that there was a TV in Personnel. So, I went to that floor to see what was going on. After a few minutes, I squeezed into the room. The scene was incredulous. I decided that for me the best thing was to go back to work. Young people on my floor were just milling around. We were the IT (computer) department. They either had IT friends in those World Trade buildings or, like me, had previously worked there themselves. I tried to work, but at the back of my mind were all the tens of thousands of commuters who literally poured out of the ground from the PATH (a train from New Jersey). What happened to all those people?  I later heard that a very smart female executive of the Port of Authority ordered the trains diverted to the mid-town area of New York City, saving many lives. Many, many times I had walked through the underground shopping Plaza and the passage ways under those buildings as a shortcut to save time. Since my commute was 2 ½ hours each way from upstate New York, I was always running to be on time at work. I thought of how I would take my lunch into one of the glassed-in areas of my building and look at the Towers. How magnificent they were. Of course, I was just looking at the lower floors. I thought the design was intriguing.

In November 2000, a co-worker and good friend gave me a job lead that resulted in my leaving the World Trade Center and moving to 52nd Street.

Later that morning, Sept. 11, 2001, I finally heard from my daughter who was with her co-workers at an apartment in lower Manhattan. When the second plane hit the South Tower, one of  my daughter's co-workers just took his whole department to his home. I advised my daughter to stay right where she was with her co-workers unless they were evacuated. Then, I was contacted by a great friend from Merrill Lynch inviting me to stay the night at her place since the City was in "lock-down."

Being in Computer Security, I decided, since I had no phone, to try sending emails to get messages to my children. I thank the good Lord for the “Information Highway.” Being able to contact my family in an event such as this is why I feel so strongly that there should be no Government interference with the Internet. I emailed friends in San Diego requesting that they contact my family. My children thought I still worked in the World Trade Center. Exactly where I worked was not one of their concerns. I didn’t know my son’s work e-mail address, but decided to create the addresses in different ways. Surely, one of the emails would get through. Not knowing was going to happen next, I wrote to my son that his sister and I were OK. I gave him the address and phone number for the apartment where she was staying. Then, I gave him the phone number of the friend with whom I would be staying. Without being melodramatic, I thought this might be the last communication we could possibly have. It brings me to tears when I think of it.

Around noon, I went to the bank to get money since I couldn’t get home that night. The sea of people walking, shoulder to shoulder, north out of the City on both sidewalks of Park Avenue was at least five people deep. It was an amazing, yet fearful sight.

Around 1pm, my daughter, accompanied by a co-worker, walked the 30 blocks to be with me. Her hair was covered in ash. I got her in our “locked-down” building. When we reached my office, the phone rang. It was my son in Los Angeles. My daughter, wide-eyed and in shock, told him what happened....her words just spilling out. I tried to calm her down. Her only response to me was, “You weren’t there.”

Then, my daughter told me we just had to get out of the City. She kept pressing. As far as I knew, we couldn't go anywhere. I decided to leave and walk to Grand Central to see if any trains were moving. I never in my lifetime had been prepared for what I saw.

As we walked the now eerily empty Park Avenue south to the train station, we were met with men with megaphones ordering us where to go. We walked a sidewalk cordoned off with safety tape into what seemed like the only open entrance. Other than the sea of people in the great expanse of the center of the building, I don’t remember much except that my mind kept reeling, thinking that something else could happen at any moment. Before long, we were on a train leaving the City.

That evening, watching TV, I saw the real events I knew nothing about because I tried to work that day. I realized that I, being the kind of employee I was, would have returned to my desk in one of those buildings when the “All Clear” announcement was given.

My daughter and I were now safe, but what about those people who died. What about their families? Even today, my heart goes out to them

I realize that this is a sharp contrast to my usually light-hearted and hopefully informative blog. I will always remember my daughter walking 30 blocks to my uptown office, covered in ash from those collapsed buildings….wide-eyed and in shock, having seen death and destruction not many American civilians have ever seen. And, as I said in the beginning of this writing, no American citizen should ever have to experience the events of 9/11 on American soil and no one should ever forget.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (Amazon.com)

Milestone Surprise Mystery Trip (Part 2)

The drive from the entrance of the Park to the Visitors Center at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon seemed like 40 miles.  When I checked the distance for this posting, the distance was actually 43.6 miles. Wow!

Last year, we read that there was an opportunity for senior citizens to purchase a lifetime pass to The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for $10.  I purchased it because I do love visiting the Cabrillo National Monument.  From its vantage point, you can photograph the City of San Diego and  the beautiful views of the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean. When we arrived at the entrance to the Grand Canyon, I was able to use my pass.

On our drive, we saw a herd of about 75 to 100 bison traversing the beautiful landscape. The ladies oohed and aahed over the babies.

 
After our 43.6 mile drive, we came to the Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim. The views were amazing. We milled through the gift shop and proceeded to have lunch at the Lodge. The restaurant had large picture windows so we could enjoy some of the views before we ventured outside.

After we were finished with lunch, we started to look around. The views were amazing. In the lodge, I spotted a floor model radio from the 1930s. It looked just like the one that my parents kept in the basement. As a 10 or 11 year old, I would sit next to it, turning the dial to listen to ham radio operators and ship-to-shore conversations. While this radio was just a piece of memorabilia at the Lodge, it was quite a 'blast from the past' for me.

Then we went to the veranda to see the views. As my eyes took in the depth and breadth of the Canyon, I felt so grateful to behold this awesome sight.

             

At my daughter's request, I refrained from climbing down the steps, shown at the left.

 As you can see, the Grand Canyon seems overwhelming. Everywhere you turned, there was another aspect to the view. I now understand why my friends were so impressed and why tourists flock there, staying in the surrounding cabins.There were people sitting on the veranda, just taking it all in. I've read that only 10% of the Grand Canyon visitors go to the North Rim. It's certainly worth seeing.

I'm so grateful to the planners of this wonderful surprise. It was on my 'bucket list.' So, check ...  Now, I'll just adjust my listing to add the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

After a long day, we were happy to return to The Kanab El Pueblo Townhome and just relax. I highly recommend this Airbnb. As I said on my previous post, this townhome was well equipped with everything you'd need, but after this amazing afternoon, we ordered in.

We chose the Peekaboo Canyon Woodfired Kitchen. My daughter had to drive over to pick up our order, but it was a short distance. The pizzas we chose to share were "Peekaboo Pear" and "Fuhgeddaboudit" with the "Scarlett" salad.  My son-in-law chose the lattkes. We, ladies, ordered cheese cake as well. The food as very good. After everyone retired for the night, I saw the three pieces of cheese cake, each with different toppings in the refrigerator. We had eaten so well, we forgot about the cake.Well, as my eldest daughter worked on a paper for college, I was able to eat a half of one piece of the cheesecake. I also highly recommend this restaurant in Kanab, Utah.

On the fourth and last day of our trip, we returned to Las Vegas to eat at the Bacchanal Buffet in Caesars Palace. The restaurant was very crowded with many on line waiting their turn to dine. The buffet was very large, with many food choices.  I enjoyed the lobster tails and a few items that caught my eye. The desert area was brimming with enticing selections.

While the family went to the Forum for the car, my daughter gave me some more money to use in the slots. Lost that. As we waited, we then played some singles. Lo and behold, I started to win a few dollars. Had no time to even turn the ticket in. The family had arrived at Caesars to take us home.

With a full day, we headed back to San Diego.  My wonderful 'Birthday Mystery Trip' will be remembered for long time, at least until my next big birthday, when who knows where I will go. Seriously, I had a wonderful time ... something I never expected and will always treasure.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog. 

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  The Book of Micah by Catherine Hall (on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle) 

Perhaps by Catherine Hall (on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle)