This is a story about a wonderful dream I had just about a year ago. I wrote about it when I had a blog on Yahoo 360. It's so beautiful, that I wanted to share it here as well. God Bless!

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Wednesday night (March 27, 2008) I had a dream that I was with Jesus. I didn't see Him, but I felt Him. I can only explain it like this: I didn't need to see Him to know he was there.

We were surrounded by a refreshing bright light (though I didn't find it blinding), the sand was golden, the sky a clean clear blue. We sat on white stone benches close to the ground. A tall stone wall was nearby.

I became aware that Jesus was speaking to me, but I didn't hear with my ears. It was more with my heart. I can't spell out word for word what He said to me - but my soul felt peace.

It's been months since I had that dream and it's still as crystal clear as ever. Every night when I drift off to sleep, I hope to meet Jesus in my dreams again.

What'sYour Lenten Promise?

Last year about this time, I had a conversion of heart. It was during Lent and I was touched every time I went to Mass and paid attention to what was being taught. Shortly after that, I started to go to daily Mass, pray the Rosary almost daily and read the Bible. Instantly my life seemed to be going so much better. Maybe it was because I was so in tune with my relationship with God. Things were going well and I felt very strong, like no matter what the enemy tried to throw at me, I could turn away.

Then November happened. A family problem exploded and I literally dropped everything I was doing to work on this problem. I felt that if I didn't, my family would fall apart. There's still trouble now and then, but things seem to be looking up.

I wish I could say the same about my efforts with my relationship with God. I didn't intentionally "leave" Him. But yet I still feel so far away. I know a big part of it is due to not saying the Rosary or reading the Bible as much.

That's why this Lent I want to get back into my routine again. Attend Daily Mass, Pray the Rosary, Read the Bible. I know it will take time, but am confident that if I'm persistent, my goal will be reached.

Beautiful Prayers

Every Choir practice I attend begins and ends with a prayer. Tonight's ending prayer was very nice. Our leader just finished practicing the last song with us, and continuted to play the music as we stood in prayer. There's something beautiful and touching about saying a prayer and our intentions while soft church music is playing.

Occasionally, we do this just after we sing the "Our Father" at Mass on Sundays. The music keeps playing softly as the priest says a blessing. After the blessing we continue singing, "For the kingdom, the power ... "

These things are wonderful spiritual experiences. You just want it to continue on forever. Each time I encounter this I feel myself growing. Music and prayer - the perfect way to worship God.

The Miraculous Prayer

We pray often. God is always listening to us. However, there is a special prayer given to us by Our Lady - the Holy Rosary. Just the make-up of the Rosary makes it special. We include the prayer Jesus taught us so long ago( The Our Father - Matthew 6 9-13), and we use lines from the Bible about Mary: "Hail Mary full of Grace. The Lord is with You."(Luke 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:42).

I try to make a habit of praying the Rosary everyday, but I often fall short. When I do, I'm always filled with peace. Many times when I am upset, I am filled with the deepest sense of peace by the time I finish this prayer. This is true especially after an argument with a family member. The Rosary has helped me focous on what was important in life, not who is wrong or right. It is an amazing feeling. I've often felt that I had been consoled by my mother. I guess that's true. I was being consoled by my Heavenly Mother, who not only made me feel better, but instilled a little wisdom along the way. Pray the Rosary...you'll be glad you did!

Judge Not

Today I saw someone who was just pulled over by the police --probably a routine traffic stop. I thought to myself, "What a way to start the day." Thoughts were running through my head. The first thought was about the driver of the car. I thought how he should have followed the traffic rules. Then I thought more about that. The first thought was true, however we are also told not to judge each other.

Something inside told me this man needed some prayers. I wondered what this guy's life was like. Was he rushing off to work? Did he just not see the stop sign? Was this the first event in a really bad day? I decided that no matter what the situation is, even if the man intentionally broke the traffic law, that I should offer him a prayer. Maybe the prayer would help this man have a better day or make him see the need for traffic laws.

As we drove by, I said a silent Hail Mary, Our Father and Glory Be with the intention to help this man have a better day. Somehow in my soul I knew these prayers would be answered. Even though I wouldn't be able to see the results of my prayers, I knew in my heart that I helped make this man's day a little brighter. That alone filled up my heart with joy. I found a way to change my heart from a judging one to a praying one.

January 6: The Feast of the Epiphany

One of my favorite parts of Christmas (other than the birth of Jesus) is the feast of the Epiphany. That is when the Wise Men visited Jesus in the manger. It's an amazing story of faith, wisdom and adoration. As the Wise Men were not Jews, the story also represents how Jesus was sent here for the Gentiles as well. He came here to save us all. It's up to us to accept it or not.

All Hope Is Not Lost

My husband took me and the girls out to breakfast this morning. There's a cute diner that we visit sometimes. Today we were seated at a nice booth. The diner was all dec'd out with Christmas decorations, garland, santas, winter themes. Then I saw something wonderful. On the ledge directly behind our booth was a lovely Nativity Scene.

A few years ago many people would expect that. But with all the efforts by others to erase God from our country, seeing a Nativity scene in a public place other than Church is rare anymore. It warmed my heart to see it. This gives me hope that there are still people in this world who always will love and respect God - whether it's a popular decision or not. This was just the message of hope I needed this week.