Today is December 15^th, at 8:15AM for Catholic’s it is the day for Jesus’ mother Mary, called the Seven Sorrows. At this time I will not get into the Seven Sorrows  I need to document what has happened to me in the last 24 hours.  One of the things I strongly dislike is to sit down and write or type. For me, talking comes so much easier.  Since my friends that are faster  at typing are not available, it is left up to me. I feel that is what Jesus wanted it to be. So here I am. My friend Patty gave me the book “The Shack” for my birthday. I NEVER READ THE BACK AND I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS ABOUT. Since it was a birthday gift I felt I should read it.  Sunday night I started reading it and I just wanted to stay in bed and continue reading. When my husband came to bed he wanted the light off but I chose to keep it on.. This book grabbed my attention and I couldn’t put it down. For people state they are drawn to people I was drawn to this book. I awoke and all I wanted was to read the book. Though I knew the book would have to wait for being a mother came first.

Since I have Jesus in my heart, I believe he is with me throughout the day. He continually gives me clues in people or situations. This is called “God Conscience”. Why I chose to read the book now and why was I so drawn to it. I didn’t know then what I know now. That is why I need to continue to let you all know.  Monday during the day I called Patty and told her it was the best gift that she has ever given me. I feel like I am the character and living inside the book. I told her then I never read the back of the book.  Patty responded, “I did, and I almost didn’t want to read it.  Because when a child is killed what good could come from it?”

I need to tell you briefly the story for you need to know how everything will tie together. A dad takes three of his kids camping. As the father is packing up the gear to go home, two of the older kids want to go canoeing. He agreed and the dad is on shore with his younger daughter who is six coloring at a bench close by. The two older kids tip the canoe. The dad sees they are in trouble and he goes out to save them. His son is trap and is starting to drown. The dad is able to set is son free and bring him to shore. At the shore he gives his son mouth to mouth, and he is able to revive him.  After that ordeal they look for the younger daughter. She is missing and a search for is started by the police. Later they find out she was abducted by a killer and was killed. The dad is in turmoil after that and blames himself and God. The story takes him to the shack where he meets the Trinity. 

It is now Monday evening my girls come home telling me about their cheerleading Christmas dinner. After all the excitement of telling me about their gifts and the dinner Nicole wants to talk.  Nicole asks, “Mom do you remember that note I found at school a couple of weeks ago that there was going to be a shooting at the school?  Well this week we have cops at the school and tomorrow the 15^th is supposed to be the big day. Also, I was told I was the third one on the list to be shot.” Erica jokes, “I was told to be careful since I look so much like Nicole. I might be shot instead.”  Nicole then continues, “You know other kids aren’t going to school. Their parents are letting them stay home. What do you think, Mom?”

How your life can change in an instant - thinking back earlier in the day.  At mass,  the sermon “standing up for what you feel is right”. Not just complaining but trying to do something about it.  In my life, lately that seems that’s all that I’m doing– continually standing up for what is right. Running for the school board, questioning why was the wine even taken out of the mass and how soon will it be back. Will it be back for Christmas, what a Christmas present it would be for Jesus?  Please let the people have a choice. People will talk the talk, but won’t walk the walk. In this instance what would God want me to do? If it is God’s will then we have to let it happen. I know this for we can’t change the future no matter how much we want to.  In my head I wonder is this my calling from Jesus.  Try to be like his mother and be an example for everyone even though her heart was broken at least 7 times. This morning of December 15 lingering in my mind, the Seven Sorrows of Mary is today and the day we honor her. Today is the day the shooting may occur and will my heart also be broken.  I can’t let my daughters live their life in fear because that is what the devil would like. Knowing I need to read this book if something would happen I need to be prepared and know how the best I could handle it.  When Nicole comes in my room, I notice how pretty she looks and this could be my last time to see her. I know she is nervous and wondering if she could be shot today.  I told her I love her and that she replied back she loved me too. I told Nicole that we can’t live in fear because that is what the devil wants. If something would happen you know I always love you and I would miss you.  She replied back the same to me. She said her friends told her she was too nice to get shot but she did find the note. I told her it could be jealousy we never really know why sometimes. She agreed and I told her to pray to Jesus if she needs support. I know in her life she does it often. Erica next comes in my room.  I know she is also nervous but doesn’t want to show her emotions to  Nicole, because the two of them are  best friends and if anything would happen to one of them, the other heart would be broken.  Erica states this could also be the last time you may see me. I look at her and said I know. I love you so much and without my girls my struggles ahead would be so hard. Would you help me from heaven? Not only that I would miss them but their support in so many things would be missed. She left and I continued to read the book. I got to the part that I needed. When Jesus is explaining to the dad how the Trinity was there for his six year old daughter after she was abducted. The little girl was scared but Jesus was there to calm her because she prayed to him. She was also concerned for her dad, brother and sister. How worried they would be looking for her. That would be my girls. As I type the tears fill my eyes.  As a leader I have to go on or what leader would I be. Jesus told the father in the story that it isn’t him or God that brings the evil, humans choose it. Every time they do it breaks their heart but they have given us free will. So earlier in my bed when I was reading the book I was crying. At that moment I didn’t know what would happen to my girls but either way I need to be prepared. So I gave it up to Jesus. I asked him to be there with my girls which I know he would.  Whatever the outcome may be, please make me strong to be the leader that I try so hard to be. If Jesus will is for me to have a broken heart like his mother Mary please let me be strong with his help. For I made my promise and the promise I will try to keep. Though at the time I never thought this could have been one of the scenarios but it is. I do know that Jesus hates evil and only wants love. So if I am that leader and something happens I need to pray to still be Jesus hands and feet. Let him come through me as God did to Jesus when he was on earth. For Jesus was totally human and the miracles didn’t come from Jesus but only letting himself to be the channel for God to do is will. I will go on with my day and time will only tell what my ending will be. For this is my time for Adoration but I felt Jesus wanted me to do this. For last Tuesday the 8^th was Feast of the Immaculate Conception. As Catholics it is a feast day to honor Mary. Would we not honor anyone that would say yes knowing at such a young age that she  could have been stoned to death. For at that mass,  the priest asked if anyone would play the part of Mary.   I thought he asked was anyone named Mary and my hand went up.  I had my three children with me and the priest asked what would happen if their dad was away for a year and I got pregnant.  If I said the Holy Spirit did it would they believe me. Of course they said no and the priest went on with his sermon. That at such a young age Mary had to stand up to her whole town. Not like it would be today. FOR SHE REALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN STONED but Joseph stood up for her. The priest asked would anyone in this chapel say yes, if Jesus, God or the Holy Spirit asked them and I raised my hand. The priest stated only because I knew the outcome.  What that Mary heart would be broken and today I write about it and that possibly now my heart may be broken too.  At the time when I raised my hand in the Chapel I didn’t know I would be in this situation a week later. Just like Mary didn’t know when she said yes to become the mother of Jesus. Once she said yes she didn’t look back and she took the joy and the pain for that the gates of heaven would be open for all of us. As she said yes so long ago, I said yes last week. I know I will have joy and pain in my life. I want to have Jesus in my heart, at every minute in each day.  I can only try to be an example for Jesus, like his mother Mary.   For Mary would have given up her life by being stoned if she needed to. Though sometimes I feel your heart being broken is a harder ordeal. For every day people chose to live with that pain and let that pain take over their life. Mary knew as Jesus mother that Jesus didn’t want that. So through his passion and the dying on the cross she was there with others showing us all  how to be strong. For as humans we all have emotions and we all will suffer. The ones that have the child like faith that Jesus wants us all to have. He wants us to take your fears, pains, joys and laughter to share with him. Once you do that your life on earth may turn to heaven on earth. May we all prepare for the coming of Jesus in our hearts and once he is there don’t ever let him leave.

Today is Wednesday and I will tell you my girls are okay. Was it scary, sure it was! Nicole told me at lunch one of her friends was saying,” We are all going to be killed.” Nicole wanting to yell, “You were not the one that found the note and I am suppose to be the third one hit.” Today in the paper states that ten percent of the students stayed home Tuesday in the response to the rumors of the death threat. How did I feel sending my girls off to school not knowing would it be the last time I see them or not. I thought of the bible story of Abraham and Isaac.  For Abraham was asked to build an altar and sacrifice his son for God. That is what I thought at that time when I kiss my girls goodbye would they be a sacrifice for something bigger to happen.  Abraham did build the altar and he was going to sacrifice his son, but at the last minute God saved Isaac. A lamb was given for a sacrifice instead. So soon you get back in the everyday routine. I did stop and give Nicole the biggest hug and told her I am so glad you are here. Erica wasn’t home at the time but in my heart was thanking God for both of their safety.

What have I being doing with my life on top of being a wife and mother to three teenagers? Having the passion to try to bring joy and love to everyone. I was working on reflections of Jesus lives and just regular people.  I have been blessed to write rhymes that are able to touch people’s hearts. The plus is I have been going to all different churches of all faiths and been collecting pictures to go along with the words. I wanted the book or books to come out before Christmas -  but before Easter is a more attainable goal.  When you have the passion you want to help people and sometimes you want it now for the need is so there.  I also have been blessed with some products that I feel will help so many of us. We are working out the details and I will keep everyone in the know as soon as the details come together. God bless and may everyone have a Merry  Christmas.  Mary Genetin Cornell

Seven Sorrows of Mary :  1. Prophecy of Simeon  2.Flight into Egypt  3.The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple  4.Mary Meets Jesus Carrying the Cross  5.The Crucifixion   6.Mary Received the Body of Jesus from the cross  7. The Body of Jesus placed in a tomb