Here we go again....

Back on the market!!!

 A year ago, Iain and I listed our home for sale.  We were full of promise and hope. 

My, how things have changed.

Exactly a year later, the house is back on the market. My feelings are much different this go 'round.

The experience last time was such a roller coaster. I'm praying for smoother sailing this time. I have really mixed feelings.  I want desperately to get back to LC and our support system, but Gianna and I both will be very sad to leave our home. We love it here. We became a family here and most of our family memories took place within the walls of this home.  There will be no memories with Iain in our next home. I know that will be terribly sad as well as a huge, definitive closure to the most significant chapter in  my life.  I also suspect that the next house will force us to move forward, both literally and figuratively speaking.  I have no idea what the next chapter holds. I'm taking baby steps.  I try not to let fear and anxiety take hold, but sometimes it does, 

Please pray for us and that God will provide us with a wonderful, perfectly timed, perfectly suited option in terms of our next living arrangements.

And for all those who will suggest the whole St. Joseph statue thing....thank you.  I have my grandmother's statue in my kitchen window. I listed the house on the Feast of St. Joseph to honor him and implore his aid. 
I'm hoping I get 'extra credit' for not burying him. :)

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And as a postscript - no sooner did I publish this post then my neighbor knocked on my door with a small St. Joseph in hand with the accompanying prayer card and instructions. Ha.

For those who are not Catholic or who are unfamiliar with this unconventional tradition, here's a little insight. 

The history behind the tradition to bury a statue of Saint Joseph is hundreds of years old (A.D. 1515 - 1582). It began in Europe with nuns (St. Teresa of Avila, I think) at a Cloister needed to expand their land, and after a prayer to St. Joseph they buried medals of him in the ground.
After a short time their prayers had been heard and they got more land. This old story has lived on until today but on the tradition has changed from burying medals to burying statues.

St. Joseph was the husband to Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus of Nazareth.
We don't know a lot about Joseph, except that he was a skilled craftsman and a good father. He became a Saint for workers and it is very common to pray to him to get his help with house sales and many other things.
The reason he was made a Patron Saint is that he taught Jesus the craftsman's trade and made sure that Jesus always was well housed. That is the reason why he always helped people find a house they were looking for and in that way help the people who need to sell their homes.


Here's the novena prayer.  I'm begining it tomorow 3/28/12 for anyone who want to pray along.  (I'd be happy to add your intentions if you'd like to send them to me.)

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong,
so prompt before the Throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession
and obtain for me from your Divine Son
all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord;
so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power
I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage
to the most Loving of Fathers.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you
and Jesus asleep in your arms.
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me,
and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls,
pray for us.
Amen