Daddy Date Night

A couple of weeks ago, I was supposed to do a daddy date night with my daughter, but an accident involving close friends prevented me from keeping my promise to my little girl. Well today was the day that I got to make up for it.

After picking my daughter up from school, we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a couple of hours of pizza and fun. We had some tokens left over from a visit a couple of months ago, so it was as inexpensive as going to Chick-Fil-A because all we had to pay for was the meal.

It is amazing how quickly she grows. Just a few months ago, she was timid and needed help with all of the rides. This trip, she was fearless! Here are some videos of her fun tonight:

This first video shows how my little girl is capable of climbing up the big steps to get to the tubes and slide:



This next one shows that she still needs a little help with hand/eye coordination as she makes a go of it with a whack-a-mole type game:



This last one shows how talented she is at riding a horse. I don't know where she gets this balance and grace from since most days walking in straight lines proves troublesome!:

November 30, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Jesus Help Me
Jesus Help me. In every need let me come to you with a humble trust saying, Jesus help me. In all my doubts, perplexities and temptations, Jesus help me. In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials, Jesus help me. In failure of my plans and hopes, in disappointments, troubles and sorrows, Jesus help me.

When others fail me and your grace alone can assist me, Jesus help me. When I throw myself on your tender love, as my Lord and Savior, Jesus help me. When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good coming from my efforts, Jesus help me.

When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus help me. Always, Always, in spite of weariness, falls and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus help me and never forsake me.

Almighty Lord, before you I come with all my faith, begging you for comfort in my difficulties. Do not forsake me, My Lord. Open your doors, that your almighty arms will open and close as you design to give that tranquility that I so desire.

Oh my God! Receive my supplication from a wounded heart that is always fighting for me with your Divine power. Never let me scramble for want of help.

Almighty Lord, assist me to find shelter in your celestial bounty forever.

Amen.

November 29, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Late Have I Loved You
A Prayer of Saint Augustine
Late have I loved you, O Beauty, so ancient and so new, late have I loved you!

And behold, you were within me and I was outside, and there I sought for you, and in my deformity I rushed headlong into the well-formed things that you have made.

You were with me, and I was not with you. Those outer beauties held me far from you, yet if they had not been in you, they would not have existed at all.

You called, and cried out to me and broke open my deafness; you shone forth upon me and you scattered my blindness.

You breathed fragrance, and I drew in my breath and I now pant for you.

I tasted, and I hunger and thirst; you touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Saint Augustine was bishop of Hippo in North Africa. This prayer is from his book, "Confessions."

November 28, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

An Intimate Conversation With God
A Prayer by Thomas A Kempis
O most sweet and loving Lord, whom I now devoutly wish to receive, you know my weaknesses and my needs. You know how many bad habits and vices I have. You know how often I am burdened, tempted, shaken and stained by sin. I come to you for healing. I pray to you for comfort and support. I speak to you, who know all things, to whom all my inmost thoughts are evident. You alone can adequately comfort me and help me. You know what good things I need most, and you know how poor I am in virtue.

Look! I stand before you poor and naked, asking your grace and imploring your mercy. Feed me, for I am hungry. Inflame my coldness with the fire of your love. Illuminate my blindness with the light of your presence. Make all that leads me from you not worth thinking about. Make me forget it all. Lift up my heart to you in heaven, and let me not wander aimlessly about the world. From now on, you will be my only delight, for you alone are my food and drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good.

Oh, that by your presence you would set me fully on fire, totally consume me and transform me into you, so that through the grace of inner union and by melting in love's flames I would become one spirit with you. Do not leave me hungry and thirsty, but treat me mercifully as you have so often and so admirably treated your saints. How wonderful it would be if I were burned and wholly consumed for you, since you are a fire always burning and never consuming, a love that purifies the heart and enlightens the mind. Amen.

November 27, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Morning Prayer
Good Morning My Lord:

Thank you for keeping me safe through the night,
Please watch over me during the day,
and keep me safe from harm.

Give me strength, O Lord,
So that I may make the right choices,
Be kind and good to others.

Please keep my family and friends safe,
Throughout the day and into the night,
And please let me always know you are always with me,
Guiding me and Loving me.

In Jesus Christ's name, I pray
Amen.

November 26, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Rise up, O Children of Light
Orthodox Prayer
Open to us, Lord, your great Door, O Fountain of all mercy, hear our prayer and have mercy on our souls.
Lord of the morning and ruler of all seasons, hear our prayer and have mercy on our souls.
Shine upon me, Lord, and I shall be Light like the day. I will sing your praise in Light while I marvel. May the morning awaken me to the praise of your Godhead and I will pursue the study of your Word all the day long.
With the day may your Light shine on our thoughts and may it drive away the shadows of error from our souls.
The creation is full of Light, give Light also to our hearts that they may praise you with the day and the night.

Rise up, O children of Light, and let us give glory to the Lord who alone can save our souls. O Lord, as you withdraw sleep from the eyes of our body, grant us wakefulness of mind so that we may stand before you in awe and sing your praises worthily. Amen.

November 25, 2010

Here is today's prayer:

Prayer for Protection
By James Dillet Freeman

The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me;
Where ever I am God is. Amen.