Domrey, France and Bingen, Germany

Last Oct., my sister-in-law was staying with me for 3 months.  During this time, we had a guest come stay with us. Her name is Meg Hunter-Kilmer and she was going to be speaking to our ladies group at church.  With two days in our area, I knew I needed to take her to some cool places, so we set out to Domremy, France- the birthplace of Joan of Arc- and Bingen, Germany- where St. Hildegard is from.
In Domremy, we saw the Church that now stands where Joan of Arc was baptized. The original church isn't there anymore, but the baptism font where she was baptized is still there. We then saw her home. It is still standing exactly where it was then. The village was super small, with a cute little stream running through it. Then, above the village, on the hill, was a large basilica built in her honor. We took our time, making it really worth the long drive, but we could have seen everything in two hours or less.

 Below is her home

 Below is the church that stands where the previous church was.

 The same baptismal font used on Joan of Arc

 In the basilica

 Beautiful rainbow near the Basilica as we were leaving. 

With Bingen, we knew we wanted to go here, but did not have time to do research, so just drove there. Not the greatest plan. There was a museum in honor of St. Hildegard (a doctor of the Church!) but they only told us about her past, and things of that time. We then took the car ferry across the river to Rudeshiem and went up to the convent. Here we were able to look down on the village, with beautiful vineyards in between the convent and the village. They were gorgeous. We were able to see the Church, and the gift shop up there. We came down, headed back across the ferry, and went to the Basillica in Bingen. We thought it would have something to do with St. Hildegard, but it did not. We ended up back in Rudeshiem later in December for a great Christmas market. 

 In Bingen, looking across the river. You can see a castle on the hill.

 This is looking across the river at Rudeshiem

 This made us laugh. warning: Don't drive in to the river.

 On the ferry crossing the river!

 The beautiful vinegards, with the convent/Church in the background

 The Church- I think this was created by St. Hildegard.

 Up on the hill near the convent.

 We loved this sign: This way to Jesus! :)

 The Church

 My sweet girl praying before Jesus.

 The kids and me with a statue of St. Hildegard

 These cute signs were all over the two villages, showing something that was part of the road of the Saint.

Willing to Sacrifice

We've all been there. Those days where you go to Church, and you were MEANT to be there. The Lord completely talks to YOU. The priest may as well have said your name while he was giving the homily. And your children are even quiet so you can hear it! Today was one of those days...

Well, let me rewind. It really started yesterday. I was frustrated with a few things at home, and decided I was going to go take a shower. By some absolute miracle, I got a shower with no interruptions, and took the time to pray and pour out my heart on a few issues. Things that were happening in our lives that I was feeling excitement, but also bitter and jealousy over. Things where my husband was wanting to do things, big goals really, and I felt like saying "But what about me!?!" I was having a pity party because he has goals, he's making himself better, he's doing things for God. And me? Well, I was bummed that "my" dreams and goals consist of staying home and teaching our kids for the next 17 years or more and 'just' being involved in our women's ministry. (I put "my" because well, I'm not sure that it's my goals and dreams, but I know it's what we want for our kids and what God has called me to do.)

Anyway, I was praying in the shower, and trying REALLY hard to not do all the talking, and instead trying to let God talk to me. I eventually heard Him say to stop holding my husband back, that I was truly being selfish about this. That marriage isn't about ME. And same thing with my kids and homeschooling. I got out of the shower with a different look, and two things I knew I was going to change. I told God that I hated not having a goal, and He whispered a goal I can have. One that I want, but don't want. You know, a goal where I want the end result, but not the work that goes with it. So, I"m still praying about my attitude on that.

So back to today's Homily for ME. It was on John 12:20-33. It was regarding the piece of wheat that falls to the ground, and if it dies, it produces much fruit. But if it doesn't die, it remains just a piece of wheat.

Our priest kept asking "Are you willing to sacrifice to let someone else live?" He said it over and over. And it was like God asking me "Aimee, are you willing to sacrifice to let others be what I need them to be?" To be the small thing that supports the big things. Am I willing to stop saying "What about me?" so that my husband can do the things God needs him to do? Am I willing to knock out the "What about me?" so that my children can grow up with the best education possible for them, learning more and more how to love and serve God and others? Am I willing to sacrifice myself for their lives, for their lives to be lived to the fullest for God? Am I willing to sacrifice to make them Saints?

Then I thought but that's so hard! I'm not sure I can do that. And God reminded me "Aimee, you've already been doing it. You've already sacrificed 8 years of a career for your children and for following your husband through military moves... You've already gone through surgery four times for your children. You're a mother and a wife. You sacrifice every day, and it's what you're called to do. You've been doing it all along with my help, and I will be here to help you through all these other sacrifices."

Well, I can't really argue with that, can I? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)..Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13)....Lord, please remind me of these verses when Satan or society tries to whisper to me and asks me "What about you?".