A break from the world

Hmm... where to begin? This is a picture of my swollen feet as I journaled while waiting to be able to leave the hospital. I didn't know what to write. These days have been surreal. I took a picture looking out the hospital window because I had forgotten there was a world outside. I still feel that way, a month later. And it's nice because the world understands... and gives you a break while you're a little knocked out of your senses. 

Then there is a picture of the sleeping baby with a name tag saying she's my daughter in case anyone gets confused (including myself). And flowers from our neighbors when we got home. Really nice of them. 

A small, but personal, gift

I went to an oratory near our house, stressed out and incredibly impatient to get this childbirth thing started and over with. It really helped to talk to a priest who is one of the nicest, most humble people I know. He is one of those people who emanates goodness and you just feel like they have their priorities in the right place. I only know a few of those people. 

He gave me a book that he wrote about motherhood, saying "I give it to all pregnant women". It was a small, but very personal and thoughtful gift. And thinking about the article I wrote Wednesday and the real motivation behind why we do things (worldly success), I thought "what a good reason to write a book". It really was about people he knew and to help people he knows. And I am happy to read this book, about such an important subject, written by someone I know. 

Lenten article on IgnitumToday

Fast from Success

[ 0 ] April 2, AD 2014 | Julie Machado

If I look deep, I find my inner self hooked up to a drip IV of success. I heard once at a summer retreat that we all look to the three “P”s to wrongly satisfy our inner desires and insecurities: power, prestige or popularity.

...Continue reading at: http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2014/04/02/fast-success/

Is prayer a monologue? video

This is the third of eight videos in which I answer questions from the YouCat. This one: Is prayer a monologue? (in Portuguese)

Walking

I'm not sure which phase is worst in pregnancy: the first trimester smell food and feel like you're going to throw up all the time or these last few weeks when you really want to get it over with and want the baby out already! 

Even though it will rain everyday this week, I'm going out on a walk every morning for as long as I can until my legs feel like they're going to give out (which is actually not that long...). Let's see if I can get things started! 

Can't see my feet...