In honor of St. Patrick's Day! I will share a cute story. While going to college, I was teaching my children too cook. The girls used cookbooks and tried to out do each other when cooking. They tried their hardest to make fancy foods. So one day, it was my son's turn. He didn't know how to make fancy food or even want to look in a cookbook. So he decided to make mashed potatoes, pork chops and green beans. His way of making it fancy was dying every thing green! When he served the food the girls were grossed out, "Ew green food" But I told them I'm sure its good. We all ate it and it was very yummy! This is my favorite memory of my son's fancy meal! Happy St/ Patrick's Day!
(the above pic was not what he made but was to give you the idea of what green foods look like. haha)
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.
Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans.
During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote
"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."
Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.
He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
He studied for the priesthood and later was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland.
Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.
He died at Saul, where he had built the first church. Catholic.org
Why a shamrock? Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.
Why green? Originally the colour associated with Saint Patrick was blue. However, over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's day grew probably due to the green clover, shamrock, a three-leaved plant.
One final note: I'm Irish too! My paternal grandparents were both Irish, the Thorton's and Hart's!
My brother Jim and his wife Sonia adopted to beautiful boys, twins, Samuel and Joseph from Kazakhstan. They have been with them for about 3 years. You would have never thought they weren't their biological children as they look just like them. Joe is on the left and Sam is on the right. (top pic) They are as different as night and day. Sam is more curious and adventurous, always checking things out, including perimeters. While Joe is more a soft cuddle bug, he's so loving and affectionate.
They were officially adopted last St. Patrick's Day 2008 and they all wore green T-shirts. It was so cute. Sam and Joe are to well behaved children, my brother has done such a great job with them. I know families always feel their children are a hand full but Sam and Joe are so polite and respectful. I meet them last year and in one year's time they have been growing into quite good little boys. Of course they have there days like all 8 yr. old boys but by far they are the best I've seen in a long time. This Sunday they just celebrated their 9th birthday!
(Sam on the left and Joe is on the right)
I will never understand why women abort babies. First, abortion should not be used as a method of birth control. There are so many methods of birth control these days. Second there are so many people out there just waiting to adopt because they can't have children that its just a shame hear of those who choose abortion.
I give kudos to my brother Jim and his wife Sonia for such a good job!
