AUTHOR OF LIFE

       Last blog, I was talking about a book by Fr. Mike Scanlan called Titles of Jesus. Here is a  continuation of a few more. The name is given then the scripture verse then a key thought followed by my thoughts.

 

        AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: Scripture Hebrews 12:2  Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Key Thought: We would never be Christians with Christian faith but for Jesus Who first lived as the Father calls us to live. He showed us how to start and how to finish our life with God. My Thought: I mentioned in my book Small White Hearts, page 131, how I often feel Jesus holding my left hand - often during the Our Father during mass - and someone else holding my right hand.

 

         AUTHOR OF LIFE: Scripture Acts 3:15 You killed the Author of Life but God raised Him from the dead. To this we are witnesses. Key Thought: An author brings something into existence. Jesus, as Author of Life, brings into existence for us eternal life with God. He frees us from the sentence of death and offers us life. My Thought: Did I as an author bring Jesus as a living being to my readers inside their hearts?

 

          THE BEGINNING AND THE END (The Alpha and the Omega/The First and the Last): Scripture Revelations 22:13 I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Key Thought: All good begins and ends with Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1). The final action in the history of the world will be Jesus handing the Kingdom over to the Father. In the history of our personal lives, salvation begins with Jesus and ends with our standing before Him Who is our judge. My Thought: Fr. Joe Rodrigues in a retreat he gave in Globe, Arizona, said that the word history means His Story, how true. 

PROMISES

      Hi, it's been a while since I wrote. I haven't forgotten you, just been to the other end of the country in Massachusetts visiting relatives. On my Facebook page I said I was composing a poem on the return flight about seagulls and dandelions, but didn't get to finish it. Instead here are some thoughts on Promises, given to me from Our Lord at prayer group a month ago.

 

 

       "Life, My Child, is full of Promises. Promises that are broken and Promises that are kept. There are Promises between spouses. Promises between parents and children. Promises between sisters and brothers. Promises between aunts, uncles, and cousins. Promises between girlfriends and boyfriends. There are Promises between neighbors, but, unfortunately and sadly, those are often broken.

       "Where are you in keeping Promises to yourself?  To others? To Me? Have you kept them or have you broken them? How are you working on keeping them? What are you doing to change your ways to keep your Promises to Me?

         "Where are your priorities in your Promises? Do you put Me first? Do you allow others to steal your precious time? Do you focus your thoughts on outside activities? Are you so rushed all day that you have no time for Me? Do you listen only to godly music and television shows? Do you give 10 per cent of your time to Me each day?

          "Take time, My Child, to rearrange your schedule and put it into My Hands. Then I will give back to you abundant time to do good for others and spread my blessings before you as you travel for Me to the ends of the earth."

 

 

 

 

           As always, please feel free to share this with anyone, just please give me credit for it. Norma Vieira Morrison, author of Small White Hearts,     www.smallwhitehearts.blogspot.com/     www.smallwhitehearts.com     June 9, 2013

 

 

PENTECOST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

        This Sunday is Pentecost which means that fifty days after Easter, Our Lord left Earth, ascended to Heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us here on Earth. The Holy Spirit is our Counselor and Advocate, meaning He works with the Father and Son to bring us comfort and joy. The readings for Saturday night are about the people in the Tower of Babel wanting to be better than God, so God confused their language and scattered them throughtout the world. Feel free to share this with bible study, friends, or family. Just mention my name when you read it. Blessings.

      

 

Small White Hearts

My Children, when you reach out to Me,

When you stretch your hands out to Me,

I place inside them a basket full of small white hearts

For you to distribute to those around you.

And, as you do, they turn into small white doves,

The symbol of My Pentecost.

And those doves, as they alight become

Flames of fiery grace.

And those tongues of fire become drops of blood

Raining down from Heaven

To shatter and splatter and shed and spread

Themselves to the ends of the earth.

 

And those drops become ruby-red roses

To fragrance your most intimate being

Sending a holiness and richness

To breathe out praises of song.

 

And these songs call and commit you

To the task of being a people of joy.

You are called to be a light to all nations.

You are chosen to evangelize My World.

BOSTON, BOSTON, MY LOVELY CITY

Boston, Boston, My Lovely City

 

 

Oh, how I remember walking down your streets, my lovely city.

Filled with legends and folklore.

Filled with history of days gone by.

Attending sports events.

Rooting for the home teams.

Knowing each player's number.

Knowing each coach's face.

Oh, how my heart aches for you, my lovely city.

Torn by a terrorist's bomb.

Torn by a gunman's shot.

Riddled with explosive debris.

Shattered by a pressure cooker filled with deadly parts.
 

Oh, how Our Lord watched over you, my lovely city.

Oh, how you were protected from further danger.

So many came to the rescue of all.

Giving of selfless means.

Five dead, should have been none.

Five dead, could have been more.

 

We pray for

      physicians and patients

      patriotism of people

      preparedness of police

      punishment for perpetrator

      peace restored in hearts

 

Oh, Lord, send comfort to friends and relatives in

      Quincy and Braintree

      Taunton and Scituate

      Hudson and Dorchester

      Whitman and Cape Cod

 

Gratitude to all who helped. Healing to all who were injured.

 

Be Strong, Boston, Be Strong.

 

Written by Norma Vieira Morrison, author of Small White Hearts, This may be shared but please give me credit, Thanks, Norma, April 22, 2013   www.smallwhitehearts.com

    

 

 



WONDERFUL FRIENDS, MARVELOUS PARTY

      Our party was so special. About twenty showed up last night for the most perfect weather I have ever seen in Tucson. It was about 80 degrees during the afternoon and dropped to around 60 as we were leaving. The sun was shining as brightly as the smiles of the attendees. Brad, Maria and I could not have planned a better day. Tucson weather is sometimes unpredictable and except for the wind blowing out my candles faster than I could, it all was the epitome of events.

        Several special things happened: first of all the guests enjoyed Brad's new house on the East end of town with his beautiful backyard and westerly views of the desert and sunset. Suzanne and others snapped some pretty photos. One pic of the sunset was taken with the iron scroll of the fence in it, my favorite. Suzanne was also showing off pics she captured earlier in the day of a burnt-out building in town. She was fortunate to be allowed to walk on the property and get some great angles, as she always does. 

        The grill was fired up for hamburgers, chicken, and brats with all the seasonings and condiments. Salads, veggie trays, rice dishes, and rolls. Several chips and dips all made from scratch were enjoyed. Paul put a photo of me trying to blow out my candles and the wind (don't know where it came from) interrupted. My wish was for all who attended - and those who wanted to attend - to be blessed by Our Lord Who watches over all and embraces me and the entire world.

         Jana brought along a magnificent telescope so we could see the sun, moon, and numerous cloud clusters. Everyone patiently waited his/her turn before complementing the view. At the end I read one of the poems from Small White Hearts www.smallwhitehearts,com called Under the Stars on page 59. It is about how magnificent God is in creating this world. Last verse reads, "How can those who question what He does not believe? Ask if they can hold one planet in their hands and spin it like a top? No, they can't and still they don't believe. Teach them the truth." May we always spread that Word to those who have not been exposed to it.

          Missed at the party were Beth and Eddie as they took a much-needed weekend away up to Pinetop in northern Arizona.  My thoughts also during the night were with my daughter Lisa who was holding her own party and first gallery exhibition in Chile. I will soon find out how she did. Our Lord blesses her also as she travels and finds newness in change and growth. Over the phone on my birthday, I read a new poem to Lisa and will post it here during the week as I am asked to share what I receive with others. 

 

 

 

 

 

LENTEN HEALING SEMINAR - SETTING THE BASICS

      My latest project - is it really a project? - It is not a burden, so it should be called something else -  not a challenge nor a task. It is a delight to be involved with coordinating a Lenten Healing Seminar. The two groups who will be in this are the Prayer Healing Ministry of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish Charismatic Prayer Group. Both are in Tucson and have been ministering to members of their churches for over twenty years. I am happy to say that I have been alongside them for all of those years. This is the second time both groups have worked together. The first was at Saint Kateri Parish several years ago. At the time it was Blessed Kateri (long story, maybe for another day.) We had the same agenda, but brought food to share. About 75 people attended and most received a healing.

      Prayer Healing Ministry was founded by Bob Toohey after being led by Our Lord. He felt the need for people to have a place to meet, be prayed over for illnesses, and receive a God-given healing. He originally wrote all of the talks and has been using them for 16 years, 5 times a year. I was blessed by being able to lend my consent to them and be one of the speakers all this time. As I mentioned in my thanks page for Small White Hearts, www.smallwhitehearts.com "As a result thousands of physical, emotional, and spiritual healings have been recorded. Without him I would not have the healing ministry with which I have been gifted."

       The Prayer Group at Saint Kateri has been meeting once a week for three years after switching churches where they were for 30 years. David Galaz and Libby Sanchez lead the praise and worship. Fr. Abram Dono, S.T., who wrote the Introduction to my book, is spiritual advisor there. He also leads a music-filled bible study which prepares us for the following Sunday's readings. The Charismatic meeting begins with uplifting music, then a pertinent talk, people are led to speak in tongues while the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are exercised. After anyone who wishes to be prayed over can receive a healing for a physical, emotional, spiritual need. We bring food to share afterwards.

      This week saw me write up notices for bulletins and personally bring them to ten churches. I learned my lesson when I mailed notices for the Tapestry of Hope Ministry that was held in Globe recently and for which there are two blogs. When I mailed them, they got put aside, so I hand-carried these. Hopefully, more will insert. I also created a powerful poster to be hung in a visible place. Then I made smaller half-sheet flyers for the attendees of St. Kateri Prayer Group to distribute and also for my friends to hand out. Project?  No, but a beautiful blessing.

       

GEM SHOW COMING TO TUCSON

      I got so excited as I drove the Expressway this week because some tents have gone up to signal the start of the annual gem show here in Tucson.

     Hundreds of merchants prepare for weeks to set up attractive displays for the thousands of customers who descend on our happy city in the middle of nowhere. It is very unusual that so many could gravitate here, rather than anywhere else.

      First the magazines start to arrive in the mail. Colorful photos of geodes, necklaces, and precious stones adorn the pages. All lure the wanting buyers to reserved rooms in busy hotels. Maps and floor plans are laid out in each brochure.

      Next we see the U Hauls driving into town. We know they carry hidden goods: Persian rugs, Moroccan fossils, or African tribal masks. Those huge trucks have hidden destinations for just a little while. Soon we will see them unload all their carefully wrapped insides.

      Later we spot the sellers toting their suitcases around the hotel lobbies and walkways. More hidden goodies for sale. A quick jot into a room, a quick business transition, a quick sale of gems leads to a duo-happy exchange.

      During the next few weeks, I'll take a break from my Small White Hearts blog to share the gem show and the exciting events it brings to our town. 

 

"EVERYTHING" DISCUSSION

Some of you have asked me to post portions of your favorite poems from Small White Hearts on my blog then make additional comments on the poem: so here goes!

"Everything", is well-loved by many readers. It says that "everything is in your hands and flowing through your fingertips to the ends of the earth." This means that you are in control of your life and your destiny has a purpose. "Through the Gifts you have been given, you have been set free." Note that Gifts is capitalized and in the plural.

In the book, St. Paul's Gifts of the Holy Spirit have been listed. You choose what you want and need. "You need not be held captive in your house, heart, or soul." You have the option to go forth in this world and make some powerful decisions to live in happiness and joy. "Just reach out and give away the Gifts. Take the love and give it away. Take the peace and joy and be happy. Laugh and giggle and be free."

There are times when my friend Helen and I laughed so hard over lunch that the waitress got infected.

"You can go wherever you want to go, do whatever you want to do, be whatever you want to be."

How far can you stretch your imagination? You can take that class, trip, learn a new hobby. "The Lord loves you, He is your Saviour and your God." He watches over you.

Respect Him for all He does in your life and acknowledge Him for it. Every day say, "Thank You, Lord, a hundred times."

WONDERFUL COMMENTS FROM READERS

How can the emotion of someone reading what I wrote affect all in a room? Yesterday I attended a birthday party for a friend at Armory Park. One of the presents was a copy of my book Small White Hearts personally signed by me.

Arlene Lopez who was at the party read the poem "Your Interests". Almost all who were there had to wipe tears from eyes, including me. Arlene said it touched her immensely and asked for two copies to give as presents to relatives.

A few days ago my friend, Janet Weir, emailed that the book is so typically me; very down-to-earth. She enjoyed reading about the guidance of meditation and the hints on the prayer corner.

When I was at Sacred Heart Church in Tucson, a man who has cancer got a copy of the book and has been touched by several messages of hope.

An up and coming event I will be participating in is the Blessed Kateri Fiesta September 8 and 9 with much food, music, and games. A table will be set up for Small White Hearts. Stop by and say hi. See you there!

MECEDORA COUNTRY CLUB BOOK SIGNING PARTY

This week had several exciting events. The biggest was a Mecedora Country Club signing party for yours truly. Invites were sent out and wonderful food and conversation was shared.

Several people at the party who already had a copy of Small White Hearts told what letters or meditations they liked best. Christina read from my poem "Everything" that talks about the opportunities available in this world to do and be whatever you want to be.

Phil shared that he likes the calming, peaceful feeling he gets while reading and meditating.

We all are looking forward to seeing the next issue of the New Vision, the Southern Arizona Catholic newspaper, which will carry a picture of the book and a comment by an excited reader who says this is a must-read for those who need to find serenity in their lives. The New Vision reaches an audience from Tucson to Yuma, Nogales, Bisbee, and Casa Grande. It covers issues pertinent to the Catholic community as well as those affected by its outreach.

PLACES IN TUCSON SHOWING MY BOOK, SMALL WHITE HEARTS

Many new places are going to show my new book, Small White Hearts. That is so exciting.

Most Holy Trinity Church in Tucson has allowed me to have a table after all services on Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22. I will have a chance to visit with people I haven't seen for a while.

My daughters Suzanne Morrison and Beth Carrillo will be helping me out.  They have been excellent cheerleaders. They will also be helping me out when I am at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Tucson on August 4 and 5.

The third place I will be is at Sacred Heart Church in Tucson on August 11 and 12. Also on the 11th, I will be at Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway Blvd, Tucson, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at a signing table. Everyone is welcome to all events and encouraged to bring a friend.

On the last blog, I shared that my 96-year-old Aunt Elsie Santos from Taunton, MA, was greatly enjoying my book. Now there are 3 more 90-year-olds reading Sweet White Hearts. The youngest reader is my 16 year-old granddaughter.

How wonderful to see such a wide range of interest. The Lord said this is to spread to all corners of the world.www.smallwhitehearts.com

MY AUNT ELSIE SANTOS LOVES READING SMALL WHITE HEARTS

My 96-year-old Aunt Elsie Santos from Taunton, MA, is greatly enjoying my book, Small White Hearts.  She said sometimes she feels I am speaking to her directly when she is reading one of the love letters.

Elsie ordered two signed copies - one for a friend and one for my cousin Elaine and her husband Harold. She is also a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. I try not to call her when the game is on as she gets so totally involved in the game that she is talking to me and the screen at the same time.

Also this week I turned in a blurb for the bulletin at my local church, Most Holy Trinity Parish in Tucson. In three weeks the pastor will let me have a table after services so people can look at, and, hopefully, acquire a copy so they will be spiritually refreshed. The blurb has my activities at the church, which is being Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Soup Patrol, and a volunteer at their Cooling Center. 

The Soup Patrol takes soup, bread, and hot chocolate to the homeless during the winter months. The Cooling Center is open in the summer at  nearby church and 35 people have a chance to get out of the sun from noon to four every day but Sunday.

ACCEPTED AS A BUSINESS

Great stuff happened this week! I was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission for Small White Hearts as a business. The next step is to get this advertised in the newspaper three times. I did that this morning and should hear back from them soon.

There are so many little steps to put all this together. My daughters, Suzanne Morrison, and Beth Carillo came over for lunch on Saturday and helped me with a few more steps. The new bookmarks came in from Guy Rovella our printer. He made them from the material of the book and put the Small White Hearts love letter on the back. They are really beautiful.

I have had some wonderful compliments from different people. Frances and Jim said: The poems give us so much to stop and reflect on what is important in our lives.

Ana said: I love the Prayer Corner and how you taught me to set it up. I have already begun to arrange mine.

PARTY PHOTOS

This is Suzanne, Norma's daughter, hijacking Mom's blog for the evening.

I took a few photos at Mom's book signing party and thought to post them for her and without her knowledge. :) (Boy she's going to be surprised the next time she posts to the blog.)

We had a wonderful time at the book signing party for Small White Hearts. There was a great turn out; lots of friends and lots of book buying and signing. (Thanks lots of friends.) The weather turned out perfect due to an unusual storm rolling in during the late afternoon; cooling down temperatures, washing everything clean, and providing cloud cover for a spectacular sunset. We had perfect views of city, mountains and monsoon from our dear friend Katherine's house.

Katherine was the ultimate hostess, opening her home to many people and doing it with class, grace and much food. Family, friends, loved ones all together on a stunningly beautiful Tucson evening celebrating Mom's success. It was a night to be remembered. Thank you all for attending.

Maria and Mom.

John, Jana and Mom

Denise, Mom and Debbie

Mom and the tasty cake!

Mom and Lisa, my sister and the queen of photo bombing.

Katherine (hiding behind the camera) the ultimate hostess, Lisa, and Mom.

Brad, Greg, Geoff, Lisa, Mom, Guy and Libby. And, yes, those are sparklers on the cake.

Alex, favorite-ist  granddaughter in all the world, and Grandma.

Sunset from Katherine's back porch and a dove winging by.The Holy Spirit was with us, too.

GUY ROVELLA DESIGNING A BOOKMARK

Guy Rovella of Aardvark Printing in Tucson is being very creative today in designing a really neat bookmark for me to give out with each book ordered.

I told him to be creative so he has Tim Arbon's inspirational dove on the front and the love letter which inspired the book title called Small White Hearts on the back. Both men will be at the Book Signing party on Saturday.

I am delighted that so many other people want a copy without seeing the inside.

My granddaughter, who is a sweetheart, wrote a touching message on my Facebook page which she helped set up. She also did some copy editing for the book.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

Welcome to my blog!

I am so excited that I am finally entering the blogging world.

It all started with the soon to be publication of my new book, Small White Hearts. The final manuscript went to the printer's this past week.

My daughter showed me the world of blogging and I am looking forward to being part of that world.

Please follow me and check back often for updates and snippets of my current book, plus the one in the works, and daily meditations and thoughts.

Thanks!