Talent & Character…(& more SOCCER : )

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Virginia

“Talent is a Gift, but character is a Choice.”  (Anthony Grant, Head Basketball coach for Alabama.)

It’s the Big Day:  EURO 2012 Championship Game starts in a few short minutes.

Italy takes on Spain…

There’s been so much talent & so much character to this point. I usually cheer for Germany (my Grandmama was German, i was an exchange student to Germany in high school & a German major in University : ) but those Italians came out the other nite On Fire & zoomed right onto the business of Scoring Goals.  2 in quick succession (!!)

Papa said he thought the Germans were ‘a bit arrogant’ … maybe. They are a Very Talent-filled Team. I thought they would dominate… & they did, a bit… but then the Italians WON.

What a joy to see all that talent…it’s been amazing this whole tournament (especially in that incredibly exciting, ‘nail-biting’ Denmark/Portugal match)…

Then there’s character.  Mario Balotelli’s make-it-happen spirit (goals, goals!) & Andrea Pirlo’s continued perseverance (at 33..) keeping focused on The Ball…

‘Twas heartening to see the English Team during the Quarter-final Italy match as the defensive players held back what seemed like a zillion attempts on goal.  Talent… and LOTS of character.

Talent may be a gift… but character doesn’t give up. It’s a choice.

Must go dash (Spanish Orange cake just out of oven to accompany our Italian meal for the EURO 2012 Championship Soccer Party at the Woodwards : )

grace, peace & Footballers (with Character)

Virginia : )

p.s.  it’s Sunday… & i must confess my mind did wonder a wee bit during church this morning.  What’s it like Above during these big sport events? Do the Saints place Heavenly bets on the outcome?

Just imagine Italy’s cheering section: woah! – St. Francis, St. Benedict, St. Catherine of Siena + So Many Others… Then for sure, St. Teresa of Avila & St. Ignatius (& his buddies – St. Xavier et all) would rally the Spanish sidelines…

Whatever the Heavenly Cheering, may God bless & anoint the talent given the amazing players on both sides… and may He strengthen their character (& ours, too!)

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…on anger… (prayer management of) …

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Virginia

Yesterday i encountered yet another awesomely-thought provoking blog, “Patience in Picking Fights”  (Click to Check It Out HERE!)  from Pastor John Gresham. His words made me pause (they often make me squirm, so pausing is a Good Thing) & then dig out the following words from a recent daily reader:

“Resentment casts a cloud over your prayers… if you collect injuries and resentments and think you can still pray, you would probably put water in a bucket full of holes… If you restrain your anger, you will discover how to pray well.

Anger is like an overcast day for the soul. It will destroy your prayer life.

When we know we are in the Divine Presence, negative thoughts are stilled… Much of the time, however, we struggle between prayer and disturbing thoughts. Our emotions get in the way… Keep trying. If we knock on the door hard enough, it will be opened.”    Evagrius Ponticus, 4th Century Desert Father  (Matthew 7:7)

It’s so easy to Get Angry – at politics (politicians!), court rulings, your family (wife, husband, kids, siblings), friends, annoying colleagues, your boss, yourself – all potential Beanheads (at times!!)

With my flaming red hair, sometimes my temper has flamed up against the perpetuators of injustice in a good-THIS MUST CHANGE-way… but then, there’s this faith challenge in the Gospels to ‘love your enemies’ & ‘pray for those who persecute you’ (& your persecuted friends, people group et all..)   Anger doesn’t deflect injustice; actions taken in anger usually just bring on more (violence, unjust actions, misunderstandings…)

Va’s Busy Fan!

For years my boss & treasured mentor, Bill Warnock, often told me, “Go stand in front of the fan.”  Sure, it was REALLY hot in the West Bank & Gaza Strip, but sometimes Virginia’s youthful temper needed a little fan action before reacting to the latest crisis-maker.  (‘Tis also wise to ‘sit on’ that diatribe you’ve been hammering out for the higher-ups in your respective organizational Food Chain; look at it after a good night’s sleep, and… a good bit of prayer!)

I know what it’s like to be mad at God (really MAD! like just say the Lord’s Prayer & that’s it kinda mad..)  Hey, BAD STUFF HAPPENs. To all, well, MANY of us.

But there’s this soft Heavenly Voice that calls us out of our anger… to be healed, to put aside our fears so they can melt in the cauldron of God’s love that burns brightly for us wherever we are – on the mountain tops (easy to see) & in the dark valleys of life when we have a hard time seeing anything through the mists of despair and at bleak overlooks.  At times it gets completely dark and Really Stormy.  As we dodge lightning & shake from life’s thunderous pain (of heart, mind & body), we fall flat on our faces in the mud of confusion & get mired in the clingy slime of bitter anger.

Quietly, tenderly God draws us ever closer to His Heart with His gentle voice: “Fear not, be not dismayed; I AM with you always…”

Maybe it’s the kind of pain that won’t go away this side of Heaven, but we’re not alone. Each minute, each hour, each day – God is with us.  El Shaddai, the Almighty, All-Powerful Healer of hearts…

Does putting aside our anger cost? Sure, it might. No more, ‘woe is me, all is despair’… Giving up ourselves sacrificially costs – ourselves. That’s rather expensive in this ‘make-it-happen-for ME’ world. But it’s Rather Different in Heaven where the currency is mercy, forgiveness, joy, peace, grace, gentleness & LOVE…

“Count the cost by looking at the Cross.”

(Cross: Convent of San Francesco, Assisi)

Let go of your anger, listen (prayerfully) & let God do something new in you.

grace, peace & Heavenly Bleach*

Virginia : )

(*for Anger Mud Stains)

P.S.   “A soft answer turns away wrath”… (not a smart-aleck, smirky, ‘i am always right – you are always so wrong answer)… “but harsh words stir up fury.” Proverbs 15:1 (Virginia’s paraphrase)

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Wednesday Photographs: SOCCER!?… FOOTBALL!!…

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Virginia

The UEFA EURO 2012  tournament is coming down the final stretch with Semi-Finals today (Spain vs. Portugal) & tomorrow (Germany vs. Italy) & on Sunday (the Championship!!)

We have so enjoyed watching the matches (not just because of the Very Nice Scenery — oh the Portuguese Team~ woo, woo! – & the Spanish Team, woo WOO!)  … of course, it took a wee bit of Influence Brokering for Papa to understand the importance of watching TWO 90-minute games per night (the first week of the tournament) & last week’s Quarter Finals (one game per night..)  & why we must Make a Big Deal of the Big Game on Sunday (Super Soccer party on at the Woodwards… : )

As an Avid American Football Fan (the NFL channel gets lots of airplay in the Woodward Home), Papa (like much of America) has to be coaxed a bit into the intrigue of International Football (what Americans call ‘Soccer’…) How National Pride goes on parade as countries play other countries (& Not Much Gets Done when your country is up!)  How players deftly strategize to set up goals (& run themselves off their feet & over their feet & even upside down to score!)

whew.  You see, the rest of the world plays Football (Soccer) in a major way.  All over Africa you see kids with a patch of field & patched up balls (even plastic bags tied with twine) kickin’ it … all over Europe… all over South America… all over Latin America… all over, like most of the globe.

So for Wednesday’s photographs this week it’s Football/Soccer!!

Must go dash watch the Portugal/Spain match… oh la la, i really like both teams so it will be hard keeping the boisterous cheering in check…

Grace, peace & FOOTBALL

Virginia  : )

p.s. Throughout the tournament in Ukraine & Poland the moving billboards keep blazing out: RESPECT.  One of UEFA’s 11 values… It’s also been cool to see the players exchanging jerseys after each game (a woo, woo kinda ‘cool!’)

“…Our message is clear: zero tolerance against racism, violence and doping. Football unites people and transcends differences. The colour of the skin is invisible under the jersey and, for UEFA, this will always be so.…”

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Wednesday Photographs: World Refugee Day (20 June)

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Virginia

Today the world recognizes the challenges faced by the 43.7 million people displaced from their homes by disasters & conflicts & traumatizing violence…  World Refugee Day comes once a year, but the refugees and internally displaced persons have often spent many years far from their homes, their countries & all that is dear…

Today’s report from UNHCR notes that roughly 80% of the world’s refugees are hosted by developing countries (vs. the wealthy, industrialized $$ ones!)  Like the refugee camps for the Congolese in western Tanzania…

So often, refugees leave everything behind (what’s not rubble may be hard to find)…

I’ve met so many refugees who – despite horrific trauma, loss, hardship(s) –  inspire all those around them with hope.  Living roses in the rubble they are & more…

So today – and every day – remember the refugees around the world forced into homelessness, living with fears… do what you can to alleviate their tears.

grace, peace & Refugees

Virginia

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…Courageous Fathers ….

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Virginia

It’s Father’s Day in America – a day we celebrate & honor our fathers by making special meals, playing golf, watching his sport-of-choice, watching movies (shoot-em-ups a manly favorite), giving presents (shirts, socks & maybe something more?) All different ways we appreciate our dads.

Being a dad may not be quite as hard as being a mom (this just in from my Papa discussing fatherhood over lunch.) Seriously, moms endure very painful stuff in the delivery phase, but beyond that there’s even more hard stuff.  (Papa said, “I’ll never forget the first time our first baby cried. As a stick-in-the mud bachelor I never had my sleep interrupted. But your mother, she looked after the baby & took care of those things.”)

Maybe Papa didn’t endure the pain of the birth canal 5 times like Mama, but I’m sure his heart was painfully pummeled at times when the five of us passed through the terrible twos, teenage terribles & into life beyond.

I am so grateful to God for my Papa: REALLY GRATEFUL.  It’s not just that he was always there for us (even when he was very busy), but his love was (& is) always a sure thing (even when we mess up!)

Growing up he placed a big sign downstairs: “God loves you Anyway.” Then at the top of the stairs (especially prominent as when past our curfew we tiptoed by their bedroom door): “I love you Anyway.”

Papa’s love demonstrated the love of God in him for us – agape style. Sure, Papa & Mama were strict (weekend curfews, no TV on school nights & Papa had to meet my dates before going out. What a way to get dates: ‘you must ask my father.’)  But, ya know what, PAPA CARED ABOUT ME. And hey, ya know what? When crushed by the latest crisis (in High School there were many) Papa’s shoulder was there to cry on as he let the Love of Jesus flow through him to us. He also ‘arranged’ a hunky prom date when my (not-no-nice) friend asked the boy of my dreams from another school to our dance (she dialed his # faster!!! grrrr…)

My Papa-picked date was a blast (of course, that’s all in the past), but Papa’s love cared then as his love cares now.

Papa made TIME for us. The 7 of us were quite a rowdy bunch together, so he made ‘dates’ with us –when we were little he took my younger brother & I out on weekends for dinner & a movie (every Walt Disney ever made) that carried into serious discuss-life-choice-sessions as we got older.

Papa had FAITH in God that extended to us. He believed in us (You are so beautiful – even when we had pimples. You can do anything you set your mind to) & he affirmed us, even when it meant his kid taking up a post across the ocean in a conflict zone.

(Sometimes affirmation had to be coaxed, like when he went to every single basketball game my older brother played & then he didn’t quite get it that he needed to come to all my football games when I started cheerleading in Williamsburg. But he came!)  🙂

Papa also has COURAGE, a key characteristic he has passed on to us. Courage of his convictions, his faith & love in Jesus. Courage to help us help ourselves by giving us the straight skinny. Courage to face life’s challenges – like loss of mobility & abilities that put him in a wheelchair in 1985 before becoming a completely bedfast quadriplegic 12 years age. Courage to say:  “I can’t, but HE can”… & then to let God do through him (in so many amazing ways.) Courage to be thankful, really thankful each morning for ‘the blessings that outweigh his challenges.’

The courage to BE GLAD to be our Dad (even when we’re unruly & sad : )

It’s Father’s Day & we’re so glad to have our Dad!!

THANK YOU PAPA FOR ALL YOU DO – ALL YOU ARE – & HAVE BEEN, TOO.

The Woodward Clan (minus the greats – little Ty & Grey – & the Grand-kid-mates – Randy & Becca)

Grace, peace & Courageous Papas

Virginia :  )

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Good Advice for Graduates: Dr. Seuss, the Real World & Moving Cheese…

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Virginia

Last month students here at the College of William & Mary graduated & this week many Williamsburg seniors will graduate from high school.  Right now these young people are headed out into the Real World (or enjoying a break before More Education.) Whatever the case may be… change is on the horizon.

Leaving the security of home & stepping out into the Real World can be daunting.  Good Advice is always helpful. Even if you’re already out there (i graduated a few years ago; maybe ‘a few’ should be clarified as ‘a few more than a few,’) Good Advice is, well, GOOD ADVICE. Helpful & welcome, even if we resist a little, maybe one day it might permeate our arrogant be-all-do-all-can’t-make-a-mistake hides!

So today here are three books with Good Advice that have helped Virginia (the person, not the state) cope in the Real World.  Very short, easy reads (& possible graduation gifts for your graduatees : )  I still take them out to read now & then (‘taking Good Advice to heart’) & recommend them highly to you.

Dr. Seuss: Oh, the Places You’ll Go   My sister Shere gave me this gift after university graduation – a short, hilarious (yet seriously serious) treasured book these many years.  Who knows the places life takes us as we start ‘happening’ – through ‘bang-ups’ & ‘hang-ups’ & through the Slumps, confusing mazes & waiting phases & living all alone in sometimes the dumps.  What i so appreciate about Dr. Seuss wisdom: Life isn’t just about success, but finding our way to & through the places we go, balancing the tricky parts as we ‘happen.’

Sage advice for all of us as we continue ‘going places’ (even 20+ years after graduation, there are still places we can go, if we ‘get on our way’) & every page has great advice for you graduates as you start out on your way…

Maria Shriver: Ten Things I Wish I’d Known – Before I Went Out into the Real World  Years ago when asked to give the commencement address at the College of Holy Cross, TV journalist Maria Shriver reluctantly agreed & then knocked out a Home Run speech that she turned into this little book.  Sprinkled throughout with humor & lively anecdotes, these 10 short lessons for graduates are Good Advice for all. Pinpoint your passion. Find opportunities. “Starting at the bottom is not about humiliation. It’s about humility…”  (You have to start somewhere!) The importance of cultivating mentors (SO true!), facing the consequences of our behavior, the willingness to fail (‘FAILING IS PART OF LEARNING’), on love & the importance of laughter (“it’s the one that makes the other nine doable…”)  All lessons Maria Shriver learned (often the Hard Way) in Real Life that you can know now (before More Hard Stuff!)

Reading this book a few years ago made me really laugh (Out Loud) but then i was seriously zapped by the honest, heart-felt advice from Maria Shriver (you may think, gee, she’s so successful, a Kennedy & all that, how to relate?) These lessons come from her heart – the heart of a woman driven by passion for her family, her work & her world.

I then ran out to find copies for my nieces (& other, older friends too!) You’ll want to know & share these 10 Things.  Trust me – they’re Really Good Advice for you graduates to think about (& even, gasp, folks over 40!) living in the Real World.

Spencer Johnson, M.D.: Who Moved My Cheese?  My sister also gave me this book after grad school  that i pull out every so often (& have given MANY copies away.) If you haven’t read it, you’re in for a treat (! cheese – get it?! : )  First of all, i absolutely ADORE cheese & so totally relate to the mice (Sniff & Scurry) & the little people (Hem & Haw) in this short parable-ish story who search for cheese, find it (enjoy it) & then must keep their jogging shoes handy when The Supply runs Low.  We all face change (‘they keep moving the cheese‘) & graduation is a time of transition & change – from family, friends, the security of what’s comfortable-ish (school is not always easy, but is basically Known) – into Something New (& the relatively Unknown.)

As you graduates move on, adapting to change is important:”The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.”

Over the years i have found this little book incredibly helpful during times of transition. Professionally & personally (relationships are also dynamic & require investment of time & creative energy to ‘grow together’) this book offers Great Advice for graduates (& all of us) as we change & face the changing challenges of Moving Cheese.

These three book-packaged gems offer Good Advice: the challenge for you graduates (& for us oldies-out-in-the Changing-Real-World) is to USE IT!!

“Move with the Cheese, apply your Passion … all the places you’ll go!”

grace, peace & moving (Real World) cheese

Virginia :  )

p.s. i got a little side-tracked today reading Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel’s) biography- it makes his books so meaningful… www.seussville.com 

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MOVIES: For Greater Glory (+++++ Inspirational!!)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Virginia

“Que viva Cristo Rey!”

Inspiration permeates this thought-provoking true story about Religious Freedom in Mexico during the 1920’s regime of President Plutarco Calles. Beautifully crafted, well acted with an amazing cast, the kind of movie that stays with you awhile – if you’re looking for a moving movie experience this weekend, be sure to catch this Independent feature, For Greater Glory, at an Artisty-theater near you.

“Who are you if you don’t stand up for what you believe? ..”

This epic creatively intertwines historic civic struggle against oppression with the transformation stories of two central figures: a little boy & a great general.

The movie opens as young José Luis Sánchez del Rio (Mauricio Kuri) throws rotten fruit at the elderly village priest.  Caught in the act, his uncle the mayor makes him help Father Christopher around the church.  As he experiences Fr. Christopher’s faith in God (& in José as seen through God’s eyes: even though he is quite a little hoodlum Fr. Christopher asks him to become an altar boy!) José begins to change.

“Who are you if you don’t stand up for what you believe? ..”

So says Fr. Christopher as José pleads for him to hide when government troops come into the village to kill him. (Incredibly inspirational performance by Peter O’Toole as Fr. Christopher.)  As José watches Fr. Christopher die for his faith, his life is transformed.

“Who are you if you don’t stand up for what you believe? ..”

Andy Garcia gives one of the best acting roles of his critically acclaimed career as General Enrique Gorostieta Velarde, a retired general renown for successful battle strategies, who is called upon to serve the Cristero movement that rose up in revolt against President Calles (Ruben Blades) repressive anti-faith laws (closing of churches & religious orders, deportation of foreign priests …) & repressive measures (desecrating churches, killing priests…)  Even though his wife Tulita (Eva Longoria) is quite devout, he is an atheist (“this is not your cause!”)   General Velarde does, however, believe in freedom (& may be a little bored running his soap factory), so he accepts the task of unifying the scattered resistance and leading them into a cohesive fighting force.

Leadership that must be earned among the rough & ready bandito-ish fighters.

“Freedom is not just for writers and fancy documents ..but for our homes, our families, our lives…”   In the process the General is transformed as he sees the faith of those around him, especially José whom he comes to love like his own son.  As he struggles with faith, the General asks, ‘I don’t know where to find it.”  One of the devout ladies responds,”if your heart’s open it will find you.”

Rated R for battle sequences & violence (not nearly as gory as Braveheart or The Patriot) this movie also chronicles the heroic efforts of the Cristero movement’s leadership & sacrificial participation of so many individuals from all levels of Mexican society – women played a crucial role, priests provided spiritual support (& some military support, too), villagers provided food & shelter, lawyers drafted civil plans – all choosing to stand up for what they believed at great sacrifice.

i knew very little of this period in Mexico’s history except for a favorite book by Graham Greene, The Power & The Glory (set at the same time), but this is quite an education of unsung heroes who fought (& died) so bravely for freedom & faith.  May their legacy live on…

Que viva Cristo Rey!  (Long live Christ the King!)

grace, peace & inspirational movies

Virginia : )


www.forgreaterglory.com

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Facing challenges (vs. swallowing them…)

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Virginia

Here’s a Wednesday photograph (on Thursday : )  from the Middle East…

This photo reminded me of something i recently highlighted in Joan Chittister’s Book, The Radical Christian Life – a Year with Saint Benedict (a brand new daily reader procured at the New Year with Christmas Gift cards – it’s a great addition to the daily ‘pile’ of devotionals that i highly recommend : )

“To be able to face the difficulties of our lives, to admit them and resolve them instead of trying to swallow them in a cauldron of muffled anger, may be the greatest gift we can give those we say we love.  It certainly beats resenting them for the rest of our lives and punishing them secretly for doing what we never told them not to do.”   Joan Chittister, O.S.B.

If you look back at the photo taken through a doorway in Petra, it could represent the doorway to our hearts & what might happen if we keep swallowing our challenges vs. facing them. Note the rock fissures (withered over Many, Many years in Petra) could you imagine a heart cracked like that? well, yes, that’s the point of the quote …not to let anger fissure our hearts, but to face up to ourselves, take ownership of our bads & move toward resolution with the ones we love…

“I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”  Ten words.

Then if your friend, husband, wife, partner, family member (et all) Gets On Your Nerves when he, she, they do x or y… & you’ve never said ‘please, i am allergic to your cat crawling all over me’ & instead Suffered the Consequences all the time resenting ‘why do they always make me play with their cat?’  … well, maybe it’s time to Be Honest.

“I am allergic to your cat…”

There, not so bad – it’s not their fault you’re allergic, but if they don’t know (because you haven’t told them) how does resentment build up that relationship?

Something to think about…

grace, peace & Honesty Remedies

   Virginia : )

p.s. if you want to know more about author Joan Chittister, check out her website:

Benetvision: Joan Chittister

.

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Pentecost!!!

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Virginia

This is a special day for me (we have been celebrating) marking 21 years as a Catholic Christian.  My church in D.C., Holy Comforter St. Cyprian, received & confirmed us on Pentecost Sunday vs. the Easter Vigil (like most RCIAs.) The Holy Comforter was ever present there each Sunday & led me to take the step of faith to join the Catholic Church after badgering our Senior Pastor for 2 years who continually said, ‘Virginia, you’re already a Christian.’ I had to go to our Associate Pastor, Father T, to plead my case : )

This evening Papa said that i am now ‘of age spiritually’ (in the U.S. we are legally of age at 21 : )   So many rejoicings, so much grace, mercy & spiritual growth… with a grateful heart, here’s a prayer for today:

“Come Holy Spirit, send the rays of your light to us from Heaven. Come, Father of the poor, come giver of gifts, come, light of hearts… sweet guest of the soul, sweetest relief … In fatigue, repose, in heart, refreshment, in tears, comfort … Wash what is stained, bathe what is dry, heal what is bloody.  Bend what is stiff, warm what is cold, straighten what is crooked…”     (from the Liturgy)

“Let us turn our prayers to the Holy Spirit . Let us pray for transformation of our souls… Let us pray for coherence between our lives and the faith.  Let us pray for the Church, that she may fulfill her mission in the Holy Spirit; that she be accompanied by the counsel and the Spirit of her Spouse and her God.  Let us pray for the union of all Christians. For union in performing the same mission.”  (Pope John Paul II)

Happy Pentecost !!!

grace, peace & Spirited Celebrations

Virginia : )

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Wednesday Photograph: … Going Green…

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Virginia

Virginia the Blogger,  admittedly distracted lately (Papa is doing much better now, thanks for your prayers!), is back on the Blogging Beat with a regularly scheduled Wednesday Photograph: today it’s ‘GOING GREEN !!’ : )

“The trees are God’s great alphabet: with them He writes in shining green across the world His thoughts serene.”    Leonora Speyer

grace, peace & Heavenly Paintbrushes (busy, busy*)

Virginia : )

*Going Green!!

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