HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!

The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship.

Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God.

He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.

Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.

His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated.

Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring.

I thought this was some pretty cool history on St. Patrick's Day!!

Not only is it St. Patricks day but so begins the craziness of

I must admit I LOVE it! I do my own bracket, which I must admit last year I did pretty stinkin' good....but didn't get in any pots. This year since I could possibly win some much needed funds, I probably will suck. Just the way it goes!

I just love the NCAA tournament. I love seeing teams win (except Duke) and I sometimes cry when I see teams so heartbroken when they loose (unless it's Duke). It's a insane roller coaster of emotions and I totally LOVE it!


SO Much To Do So Little Time!



Didn't get much sleep last night, such is life these days. Joe was off to work early this morning to stand in as "supervisor". He was quite thrilled actually.








Caden and I are headed to Louisville again today. This time he has a evaluation with Dr. Nick, our pediatrician. Nothing serious going on except the child is totally high strung and hyper as all get out! He doesn't sleep well, he is extremely hyper at times and is just all over the place. I need to get some much needed advice on how to handle this little guy! So...I guess this appointment is more for mommy than Caden! =) Afterwards I am hoping to hit a large book store that is closing in hopes of getting the book I have been craving at a cheaper price! Here's to hoping!






Next of course it's a mad dash home to make it in time for the Cat's first game in the NCAA tournament! GO BIG BLUE!!!! I sure am proud of my boys this year!! Not the same talent as last year but still made it to the tournament and are once again SEC CHAMPS! I am praying the Irish Eyes Are Smilin' down on us today! OOOOOOOOOOOOO C A T S CATS CATS CATS!!!!!




After the game it's time to decorate for our First Annual Hardin Family St. Paddy's Day Celebration. No, we aren't Irish but we do have 3 little boys who LOVE a party no matter what the cause. Things have been so boring lately with all the rain that I decided to have a fun little party tonight for the holiday. Why Not!? Caden and I purchased all sorts of fun St. Patricks Day garb for cheap in Louisville earlier this week. We have shamrocks to hang all over the house, green table cloth, festive plates and napkins and of course enough St Paddy Day beads to look like Marti Gras. We also have silly hats, bow ties and such. I am going to cook a "green" meal...had to stock up on the green food coloring. Oh and we have awesome shamrock cookies to make to top it all off! I can't wait!






Lastly for the day comes American Idol Results...this is already getting harder by the week! The talent this year is off the charts! I see a lot of future record deals!



And of course, Joe and I's secret obsession.....

Enough said.

So...how are you spending your day today?



We were happy to get back into Love Dare class last night. Those who didn't get to make it to class were missed. It was a GREAT class! We are back on track.

DAY 11

LOVE CHERISHES

Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. – Ephesians 5:28

Consider these two scenarios.

A man’s older car begins having serious trouble, so he takes it to a mechanic. After an assessment is made, he is told it will need a complete overhaul, which would tax his limited budget. Because of the expensive repairs, he determines to get rid of the car and spend his funds on a new vehicle. Seems reasonable, right?

Another man, an engineer, accidentally crushes his hand in a piece of equipment. He rushes to the hospital and has it x-rayed, finding that numerous bones are broken. Although frustrated and in pain, he willingly uses his savings to have it doctored and placed in a cast, then gingerly nurses it back to health over the following months. This too, probably seems reasonable to you.

The problem within our culture is that marriage is more often treated like the first scenario. When your relationship experiences difficulty, you are urged to dump your spouse for a “newer model.” But those who have this view do not understand the significant bond between a husband and wife. The truth is, marriage is more like the second scenario. You are a part of one another. You would never cut off your hand if it was injured but would pay whatever you could afford for the best medical treatment possible. That’s because your hand is priceless to you. It is part of who you are.

And so is your mate. Marriage is a beautiful mystery created by God, joining two lives together as one. This is not only happens physically but spiritually and emotionally. You start off sharing the same house, the same bed, the same last name. Your identity as individuals has been joined into one. When your spouse goes through a tragedy, both of you feel it. When you find success at your job, both of your rejoice. But somewhere along the way, you experience disappointment, and the sobering reality that you married and imperfect person sets in.

This, however, does not change the fact that your spouse is still a part of you. Ephesians 5:28-29 says, “Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it.”

This verse speaks to husbands, but notice how each member is viewed. They are both considered to be the same flesh. You must treat them with the same nurture and care that you treat yourself. When you show love to your spouse, you are showing love to yourself as well.

But there is a flip side to this coin. When you mistreat your mate, you are mistreating yourself. Think about it. Your lives are now interwoven together. Your spouse cannot experience joy or pain, blessing or cursing, without it also affecting you. So when you attack your mate, it is like attacking your own body.

It’s time to let love change your thinking. It’s time for you to realize that your spouse is as much a part of you as your hand, your eye, or your heart. She, too, needs to be loved and cherished. And if she has issues causing pain or frustration, then you should care for these with the same love and tenderness as you would a bodily injury. If he is wounded in some way, you should think of yourself as an instrument that helps bring healing to his life.

In light of this, think about how you treat your spouse’s physical body. Do you cherish it as your own? Do you treat it with respect and tenderness? Do you take pleasure in who they are? Or do you make them feel foolish or embarrassed? Just as you treasure your eyes, hands, and feet, you should treasure your spouse as a priceless gift.

Don’t let the culture around you determine the worth of your marriage. To compare it with something that can be discarded or replaced is to dishonor God’s purpose for it. That would be like amputating a limb. Instead, it should be a picture of love between two imperfect people who choose to love each other regardless.

Whenever a husband looks into the eyes of his wife, he should remember that “he who loves his wife loves himself.” And a wife should remember that when she loves him, she is also giving love and honor to herself.

When you look at your mate, you’re looking at a part of you. So treat her well. Speak highly of him. Nourish and cherish the love of your life.

TODAY'S DARE

WHAT NEED DOES YOUR SPOUSE HAVE THAT YOU COULD MEET TODAY? CAN YOU RUN AN ERRAND? GIVE A BACK RUB OR FOOT MASSAGE? IS THERE HOUSEWORK YOU COULD HELP WITH? CHOOSE A GESTURE THAT SAYS, "I CHERISH YOU" AND DO IT WITH A SMILE.

(In your Love Dare Journal or a notebook) What did you choose to show that you cherish your mate? What did you learn from this experience?

Answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51)