Once we acknowledge the suffering is not something we can remove, we look for ways we can help.

We search for ways to be Simon who helped Jesus carry His cross.

We desire to make our friends’ crosses lighter.

Unfortunately, we probably all know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.  We all know someone who is suffering in a way that makes us re-evaluate our own complaints.

Angela is a young mother.

Angela is the President of the Saint Gianna’s Mom’s Club and the Shrine Director of St. Gianna’s Shrine in Warminster, PA.

Angela was the first person who asked me to pray for Philomena.  Angela prays for her everyday.

As Shrine Director, Angela gets requests for prayers and relics  people who are very ill and suffering greatly almost every day.

Although she has a grateful heart and a positive outlook on life, she also has an incredibly empathetic heart.  Each request for prayers and for the Saint Gianna relics tug her heart strings.

Angela weeps with those who weep.

But Angela also has incredible faith in God.

Angela is 39 years old and has four young children.

Angela was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

She has asked me to ask all of you for prayers.

At first I placed her request in the Saint Gianna, Pray for us! group on Facebook.  When I posted the prayer request, a group of people commented that they would pray.  One woman, Mary, recalled meeting her at the Shrine, and shared how kind and comforting Angela was when she was sick and seeking Saint Ginna’s intercession.  Mary wrote:

I will be an 11 year BC survivor on St Gianna’s feast day – April 28. I entrusted my life to St Mama, as Gianna Emanuela calls her, and the results have exceeded my dreams. Angela was so gracious to me when my family arrived at the shrine on a pilgrimage from Wisconsin. The love she has shown on behalf of St Gianna is returning to her in abundance! We will pray for Angela and her family!

I sent Angela a screen shot of these comments and it made her so happy.  She asked if she could see more of the comments.

I thought, let’s give her more.

Many of you liked the article 39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (without giving up sweets) . . .One suggestion I make in that article (number 12) is to:

Send someone who is sick a card.  Write a prayer in that card too.

Will you send a sweet card to Angela?

It can be super short and sweet – but please include a prayer for her healing!

I know from another friend who battled and BEAT cancer, that cards and letters were appreciated.

Will you send a prayer, a kind word and some love to Angela?

Will you help her carry her cross?

I know your kindness will fill her heart with gratitude.

I’m sure she will then pray for you  . . . because that is what she does.

I am purposely NOT including a picture of Angela.

She is beautiful.

She has a friendly smile.

She has caring eyes.

She has hair that I am jealous of!

She is a woman and a friend that you would be friends with!

Will you take five minutes today to wish her well and ask the Lord to heal her?

Will you ask your child to color her a picture of Jesus, or an angel or a saint and mail it to her?

Are you a teacher?  Will you ask your students to make her a card and send them to her?

If your heart is moved to do so, please mail a card or letter to:

Our friend Angela

c/o The Saint Gianna Shrine at Nativity Church

625 West Street Road

Warminster, PA 18974

Not sure what to say?

Just write:

Dear Angela,

I heard you are battling cancer.  I want to send you some love and assure you that you are in my prayers!  The Lord is a great healer!  I pray He heals you soon and blesses you abundantly!

Love,

Your name

Under, maybe write a personal prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Please heal Angela.  Please help her recover quickly and have many, many years of good health ahead of her.

Thank you God for Your Love and healing touch!

Amen. 

The post Cards and Letters to Angela appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Matt and I wanted to do something special for our 10 year wedding anniversary.  Since we have a young child and a limited budget; we did not want to travel far.  When I started to think about where we could celebrate, I immediately thought of

Peddlers’ Village.

We have always LOVED Peddlers’ Village.  It is so romantic, so quaint and so unique. We are lucky enough to live a short drive away, so we do day trips there often.  Lately, we’ve been bringing our four year old. It can be a lot of fun with him!  However, for our anniversary, we wanted to enjoy it without the trip to the carousel and the inevitable running after our energetic and quick son.

I would definitely say that Peddlers’ Village is the PERFECT Romantic Getaway!  Since I can’t write endlessly, I’ve narrowed it down to seven reasons why I would recommend it to anyone celebrating their anniversary – or just in need of some time away!

1. The Food and Drinks

We arrived before check-in time; so we walked around a little, and stopped into the Chaddsford Wine Tasting Room.  We did a tasting, then ordered a glass.  They have a beautiful patio and a gorgeous tasting room.  Since it was a very hot day, we chose to sit on the leather couches inside the tasting room.  It was the perfect way to start our getaway!

Dining at Earl’s New American will make all of your senses happy!  Recently renovated, the decor is astonishing. From recycled barn wood tables to the elegant and modern chandeliers, no space was left without the perfect touch.  I would have taken a picture of the She-Crab bisque we ordered to start our meal, but both of us were to busy devouring it!  We also ordered the lobster dumplings, two delicious entrees and of course I ordered dessert.  Matt had a cappuccino while I drank some Italian wine and enjoyed the new addition to the menu – a devil chocolate cake!  The food was delicious and the service was awesome!

2. The Accommodations

The Golden Plough Inn is located right in the village!  We loved our room!  The decor was modern, but still had character pieces, like an old-fashioned desk in a loft-like area.  The bed was big and comfy and the bathroom was huge and gorgeous.  We looked out our window and saw where we were having dinner.  Honestly, you can’t beat that!

3. The Convenience

We parked our car and did not have to get back into it until we were headed home. Everything we need was in walking distance – and the beautiful walk was a part of the experience. Whether we wanted to do a wine tasting, eat or shop, everything was right there. When we wanted to simply relax there were plenty of benches – and in the shade!  

4. The Views

Going to Peddlers’ Village really makes you feel as if you are in a different time and place. The brick and stone walkways, the water wheel, the quaint village itself and the landscaping all make it a spectacular setting. I love the colonial style buildings, the beautiful gazebo, the flowers that are always in bloom and every intricate detail of the place.  Just admiring the view is peaceful.

5. The Shops

Even though I have been going to Peddlers’ Village for twenty years, Matt and I went in several shops that neither of us had ever been in before!  Our first stop after check-in was an Italian shop called Casa Casale.  There we were given a cheese tasting and really taught us a lot about how cheese is made. Then we went to a newer cheese shop, Fromage Deux.  Fromage Deux is just one of the shops that is creating a Retail Renaissance in Peddlers’ Village.  Matt and I were so excited to see these new stores.  We bought several cheeses from Fromage Deux to enjoy with some wine at home.  The next day, we were so excited to finally see and explore Bekky’s Village Workshop!  This shop is not only gorgeous, but exciting!  You can shop, but you can also sign up for classes – from painting, to jewelry making to woodworking and simply hanging out in the Tea Lounge.  I love this place and I am already planning on returning for one of the classes!

6. The Romance

Just walking around the village made me want to constantly hold my husband’s hand.  And I know I mentioned the views already, but everywhere you look seems to inspire love – outside on a walk or inside dining.  In fact, I know several people that have gotten engaged here.  It really is a magical place! From waterfalls, to the gazebo, to the lights that decorate the night – it’s definitely a place that will rekindle any spark!

7. The Location

We could have stayed a whole other day, and never left “the village”.  However, if we wanted to go visit a vineyard, a shrine, or a historical landmark, we were only a short drive away.

Vineyards:   Buckingham Valley Vineyard is 10 minutes away; Old York Cellars Vineyard is 17 minutes; and Crossings Vineyard is only a 20 minute drive!

Shrines: The National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel is 36 minutes away.  Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine is 19 minutes away and the Saint Gianna Shrine is 25 minutes away.

Historic Landmarks: Bucks County, Pennsylvania is rich in history.  If you would like to see and explore the place where George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War – you are only twenty minutes away from the state park which offers tours on that very site!

I am so happy we were able to celebrate 10 years of marriage in such a perfectly romantic and relaxing place!  Matt and I would definitely do it all over again!

*In full disclosure, we received a getaway at the Golden Plough Inn and a complimentary dinner at Earl’s New American in exchange for our honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The post 7 Reasons Why Peddlers’ Village is the Perfect Romantic Getaway appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

I said no.

I didn’t say no because I think old people smell or I am not a compassionate person.  I said no because I feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and commitments.

I happen to know someone who is in prison right now.  She committed a crime, and she is doing the time.  Drugs led a perfectly lovely young lady to be the worst version of herself. Although she is incarcerated three states away, I felt the best way to “visit” her is to write her letters.  She has been away for six months.  I have only written one letter.

The Lord is giving me opportunities to live the work of mercy: Visit the Imprisoned, and in doing so, He is calling me to some serious introspection.  What am I doing with my time?  How can I change it to make the Lord’s will first?

I must check Facebook fifty times a day.  Is it a sin to check Facebook?  No.  But if I do it so much, that I don’t have the time to do other, more helpful, Christian, loving acts – it is something that is keeping me from growing closer to God, and therefore, not in my best interest.

What are we doing and thinking about that is keeping us from God?  How can we change?

I know there are some women and moms out there that have to say no once in a while.  We should not over-commit ourselves.  But in my case – I have one child.  I should be able to write more letters and sacrifice one hour on a Sunday – once a month.

Let’s take a look at what we do with our time and thoughts, and change them to what is good and holy.

If I go on Facebook less, perhaps my desk won’t look like this:  This is an outward sign of all the work my soul needs!  Heaven help me!

I need to do some serious soul searching, and figure out what is keeping me from writing more letters, and visiting a homebound person once a month.

How do you visit the imprisoned?  Does Our Lord give you opportunities to do His work, and you find yourself saying no?

The post Mocha and Mercy : Visit the Imprisoned appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.