84,000 Novenas for the Pope's 84th Birthday!
Will you join me in giving the Pope a huge gift for his birthday? Pope Benedict XVI is celebrating his birthday on April 16th and I'm joining up with praymorenovenas.com to get 84,000 people to pray a novena for the Pope's 84th birthday.
On April 8th, we will begin praying for nine days leading up to and ending on the Papa Benedict's birthday. The Pope prays for us everyday so it's time to return the gift to him on the anniversary of his birth.
84,000 Novenas is a lot! So, I'm going to need your help. I want everyone who reads this blog to do the following to help with this birthday gift!
+ Sign up here: http://bit.ly/h0052O+ Join the facebook event and invite your friends here: http://on.fb.me/eE2Xs7+ If you have a website, post about it there!+ Email your friends and family and get them praying too!
I'm sure the Pope will love that we are all praying for him! Please help us reach our goal of 84,000 novenas for the Pope!
Remember to sign up to pray here: http://bit.ly/h0052O
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
84,000 Novenas
I recently received an email requesting that I post something on my blog. I don't always respond to this type of request, but this seemed like a nice one, so I'm happy to help out.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wonderfully Awful
The music at daily Mass is awful. I know I've said so before, but I'm surprised by it every morning. Some mornings it makes me cringe, and others it makes me smile.
Catholic Mass is not about the music. It's about the Sacrifice. It's about the Eucharist. The whole of the Mass is designed to build into a crescendo at the Consecration. The Eucharist truly is the source and summit.
Because the music is not the focus, it becomes instead a personal prayer sung out loud. This is evident nowhere more clearly than at our local 8AM daily Mass. On the mornings I don't cringe, I listen intently to the wonderful noise of it all. 50-60 people, many deep in prayer, singing out their personal love and longing for our God. It is the sound of faith, the noise of love.
I have often heard the Catholic Church criticized for not encouraging its members into a personal relationship with Jesus. I would vehemently disagree. I hear those personal relationships, the private love songs, the plaintive cries, every morning as I stand in my pew.
Love isn't a quiet thing. It isn't orderly. It very often isn't even pretty to look at or hear. Unless you are the one who is loved. Every morning, the faithful gather together and lift their hearts to their Almighty Father in love and trust. If you know how to listen beyond the discordant notes, you can hear it, too. It is quite simply the most amazing thing I have heard in years. It is the sound of a people reaching out to their Creator full of the knowledge that they are loved and heard.
Musically it may be an awful mess, but in love and faith....it sounds pretty close to perfect to me.
Catholic Mass is not about the music. It's about the Sacrifice. It's about the Eucharist. The whole of the Mass is designed to build into a crescendo at the Consecration. The Eucharist truly is the source and summit.
Because the music is not the focus, it becomes instead a personal prayer sung out loud. This is evident nowhere more clearly than at our local 8AM daily Mass. On the mornings I don't cringe, I listen intently to the wonderful noise of it all. 50-60 people, many deep in prayer, singing out their personal love and longing for our God. It is the sound of faith, the noise of love.
I have often heard the Catholic Church criticized for not encouraging its members into a personal relationship with Jesus. I would vehemently disagree. I hear those personal relationships, the private love songs, the plaintive cries, every morning as I stand in my pew.
Love isn't a quiet thing. It isn't orderly. It very often isn't even pretty to look at or hear. Unless you are the one who is loved. Every morning, the faithful gather together and lift their hearts to their Almighty Father in love and trust. If you know how to listen beyond the discordant notes, you can hear it, too. It is quite simply the most amazing thing I have heard in years. It is the sound of a people reaching out to their Creator full of the knowledge that they are loved and heard.
Musically it may be an awful mess, but in love and faith....it sounds pretty close to perfect to me.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Spitting Distance
We are within spitting distance of the end of the school year. I can see it from here. (Literally. May just came up on my digital calendar.)
It's almost the end and I'm hitting homeschool burnout in a serious fashion. I really just want to stay in bed to day and read a good book. That's not happening. The fog and gray skies are not helping my lethargy at all. Can I just declare today to be national "Mom Needs a Nap Day"? No? You're no fun.
My eldest son must be feeling it, too. He just can't keep his mind on school this afternoon. Every time I glance in his direction he's either daydreaming or has wandered off. How much trouble would I be in if I just tied him to his chair until he finally finished?
The 14 year old is dragging her way through her last chapter of Algebra II. Who can blame her? Except....can you just finish it already? We have other things to do. Fun things. Summer is almost here things.
Instead it's nasty and cold outside and we all just want to hibernate. I can see the end of the school year. It's so close.....I can almost taste the freedom and the lazy days. It's just not close enough.
I'm not a fan of this time of year.
It's almost the end and I'm hitting homeschool burnout in a serious fashion. I really just want to stay in bed to day and read a good book. That's not happening. The fog and gray skies are not helping my lethargy at all. Can I just declare today to be national "Mom Needs a Nap Day"? No? You're no fun.
My eldest son must be feeling it, too. He just can't keep his mind on school this afternoon. Every time I glance in his direction he's either daydreaming or has wandered off. How much trouble would I be in if I just tied him to his chair until he finally finished?
The 14 year old is dragging her way through her last chapter of Algebra II. Who can blame her? Except....can you just finish it already? We have other things to do. Fun things. Summer is almost here things.
Instead it's nasty and cold outside and we all just want to hibernate. I can see the end of the school year. It's so close.....I can almost taste the freedom and the lazy days. It's just not close enough.
I'm not a fan of this time of year.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Mental Meanderings --- What's on my mind today
The Computer Guy and I went to the military retirement of a friend of ours this afternoon. We, and a neighbor of ours, were the only Catholics at the reception which was held in a Baptist church.
At one point, a joke was made about the retiree's dad sending one of his grandchildren to get him a beer. The listeners were clearly shocked, not just that he sent a child but that he was drinking at all. His daughter-in-law quipped in a self-satisfied way, "Well, you know he's Catholic, they're drinking real wine for Communion when we're sipping our grape juice."
My neighbor leaned over to me and whispered, "I don't know about you, but I'm drinking the Precious Blood." Amen, sister.
***********************************************
Jen from Conversion Diary mentioned me in her post yesterday. I don't know how many readers she has, but my hit count was 4x what it normally is. I'd hit my normal level before I even got out of bed yesterday. I think I should have been a bit more star-struck at the park.
***********************************************
I'd like to thank the mystery person who linked to me on Facebook last night. If it was you, please raise your hand so I can thank you personally. I wish there was a way of figuring out who it was other than saying "olly-olly-oxen-free."
***********************************************
Audio books were the sanity of last week's Texas trip. People keep asking how I did it, and that's the simple answer. Percy Jackson and the Olympians kept my children quiet and listening for the entire drive down and most of the drive back. It was a 10 hour drive one way (thanks to construction.) Going on a drive? I highly recommend them.
************************************************
My three year old just published this post before I was done typing it. I love helpful children.
*************************************************
My Lenten prayer buddy is killing me slowly. She writes these beautiful heart-rending posts and then ends them with "Are you out there Prayer Buddy? I really need help with this."
It's all I can do not to reply "I'm here! I'm praying! I'm taking you with me to daily Mass, and offering it up for you." She doesn't take anonymous comments or I'd have left one the very first week. Would it be wrong to drive to her house and just hug her? Or do you think that would weird her out too much?
Oh, and to my prayer buddy....could you please pray that we sell the house? It's shown twice in three months. I'm trying so hard to trust God, but our deadline is fast approaching and patience has never been a strength for me. Thanks.
**************************************************
I have ironing to do this afternoon. Have I told you how I love to iron? It's a sickness almost. There's just something about the smell of spray starch.
*************************************************
I got an email from a popular fashion website. The parenting part wants to name my blog as one of their favorite "Best of the Web" picks next month. Yay me!
I'll let you know when it is up so that you can ooh and ahhh over it with me.
At one point, a joke was made about the retiree's dad sending one of his grandchildren to get him a beer. The listeners were clearly shocked, not just that he sent a child but that he was drinking at all. His daughter-in-law quipped in a self-satisfied way, "Well, you know he's Catholic, they're drinking real wine for Communion when we're sipping our grape juice."
My neighbor leaned over to me and whispered, "I don't know about you, but I'm drinking the Precious Blood." Amen, sister.
***********************************************
Jen from Conversion Diary mentioned me in her post yesterday. I don't know how many readers she has, but my hit count was 4x what it normally is. I'd hit my normal level before I even got out of bed yesterday. I think I should have been a bit more star-struck at the park.
***********************************************
I'd like to thank the mystery person who linked to me on Facebook last night. If it was you, please raise your hand so I can thank you personally. I wish there was a way of figuring out who it was other than saying "olly-olly-oxen-free."
***********************************************
Audio books were the sanity of last week's Texas trip. People keep asking how I did it, and that's the simple answer. Percy Jackson and the Olympians kept my children quiet and listening for the entire drive down and most of the drive back. It was a 10 hour drive one way (thanks to construction.) Going on a drive? I highly recommend them.
************************************************
My three year old just published this post before I was done typing it. I love helpful children.
*************************************************
My Lenten prayer buddy is killing me slowly. She writes these beautiful heart-rending posts and then ends them with "Are you out there Prayer Buddy? I really need help with this."
It's all I can do not to reply "I'm here! I'm praying! I'm taking you with me to daily Mass, and offering it up for you." She doesn't take anonymous comments or I'd have left one the very first week. Would it be wrong to drive to her house and just hug her? Or do you think that would weird her out too much?
Oh, and to my prayer buddy....could you please pray that we sell the house? It's shown twice in three months. I'm trying so hard to trust God, but our deadline is fast approaching and patience has never been a strength for me. Thanks.
**************************************************
I have ironing to do this afternoon. Have I told you how I love to iron? It's a sickness almost. There's just something about the smell of spray starch.
*************************************************
I got an email from a popular fashion website. The parenting part wants to name my blog as one of their favorite "Best of the Web" picks next month. Yay me!
I'll let you know when it is up so that you can ooh and ahhh over it with me.
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Throne
(I know I promised to write about the beauty of the bad music at daily Mass, but that will have to wait until another day. I'll get to it, but this seemed like a better topic for today.)
Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the day we celebrate the moment of the Incarnation. It's the day we remember an angel coming to a simple peasant girl and asking her to be the Mother of God.
Earlier this week, I ran across a new title for the Blessed Mother and it has been an image of much thought and prayer for me as I have gone through the week. I saw her referred to as the Throne of God, the Throne of Grace, the Throne of Wisdom.
She carried God in her womb. She gave birth to Him. She held her little boy on her lap. She was his throne.
My own youngest child is moving quickly from baby to boy, yet he still happily claims my lap as his own place of honor. My sitting down is always an obvious invitation for him to join me. I'm enchanted by the mental image that it was the same for her.
I love the idea of her sitting to fold laundry and her little boy snuggling into the familiar place on her lap with her chin resting on his downy head. I can see her inhaling that familiar tangy smell of young boys exhausted from play. I know the beloved weight of my own little guy and imagine that it was the same for her. There is so much of majesty in the stories of Christ which inspire awe and wonder, and yet I find such peace in thoughts of the ordinary days of his childhood.
God could have chosen for His Son any of the great kingdoms and thrones of the Earth. He did not. He gave to Him the most humble and simple seat of all, that of his loving mother's lap.
Today is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the day we celebrate the moment of the Incarnation. It's the day we remember an angel coming to a simple peasant girl and asking her to be the Mother of God.
Earlier this week, I ran across a new title for the Blessed Mother and it has been an image of much thought and prayer for me as I have gone through the week. I saw her referred to as the Throne of God, the Throne of Grace, the Throne of Wisdom.
She carried God in her womb. She gave birth to Him. She held her little boy on her lap. She was his throne.
My own youngest child is moving quickly from baby to boy, yet he still happily claims my lap as his own place of honor. My sitting down is always an obvious invitation for him to join me. I'm enchanted by the mental image that it was the same for her.
I love the idea of her sitting to fold laundry and her little boy snuggling into the familiar place on her lap with her chin resting on his downy head. I can see her inhaling that familiar tangy smell of young boys exhausted from play. I know the beloved weight of my own little guy and imagine that it was the same for her. There is so much of majesty in the stories of Christ which inspire awe and wonder, and yet I find such peace in thoughts of the ordinary days of his childhood.
God could have chosen for His Son any of the great kingdoms and thrones of the Earth. He did not. He gave to Him the most humble and simple seat of all, that of his loving mother's lap.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A Cacophany of Sound
For this Lenten season, I've been trying to go to daily Mass every day. I haven't been perfect but keep resolving to be better with the help of God and a good alarm clock.
The church where I have been regularly attending daily Mass sings the entrance hymn and recessional. It's kind of awful sounding. The priest announces the hymn's number as he walks into the chapel. We all scramble to turn to the right page and everyone just begins singing when they find it. Which doesn't sound so bad except that they all begin at the beginning so that it sounds a bit like singing rounds with 54 parts. There's no cantor or musician on weekday mornings, so the tune and key are anyone's guess as is the tempo because my 2/4 time may be faster than your 2/4 time.
The old ladies warble and trill in that old lady way. The old men either just speak the words aloud or sound as if they are attempting something more operatic. I croak along in my dying frog singing voice while the poor lady next to me, God bless her, is never on the right page. She sings whatever song she opens to, and today I'm pretty sure it was one meant for Advent. It is a mess of noise and offends even my untrained ears.
It wasn't until Monday morning that I realized that this cacophony of noise is the perfect metaphor for Protestantism. Here I sit with a large group of people who all love the same God. We are all working towards the same goal. We are all reading the same book with the same instructions. So how is it that we are all coming up with such different answers? How is it that 54 people reading the same familiar music all sing different songs? How is it that something which starts off with such good intentions ends up in such an awful mess? It's because there's no one in charge.
This is why Jesus did put someone in charge. He chose Simon Peter. After Peter's death, the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, selected Linus and then Anacletus. For almost 2000 years and an unbroken line of 266 popes, God has given us someone on Earth to lead His Church. Christ knew that when people are left without a person in charge they all do it their own way. When left to our own judgment, we all fashion our lives to what is least taxing for us. But just as in music, when there is a designated person to follow we all stretch and reach and the result is glorious to see and hear. It is the Pope's job to remind us when we are wandering away, lagging behind, or just on the wrong page singing the wrong song. It's his job to keep us together and singing on key and in tempo.
See? We need a guy standing up in the front wearing funny looking robes and encouraging us to join right in. How fortunate we are in the Catholic Church that we have one.
All this from the awful music of daily Mass. Tomorrow I'll explain why it's pretty wonderful, too.
(If my musical metaphors are wrong, please excuse me. I'm no musician. I don't even play one on TV.)
The church where I have been regularly attending daily Mass sings the entrance hymn and recessional. It's kind of awful sounding. The priest announces the hymn's number as he walks into the chapel. We all scramble to turn to the right page and everyone just begins singing when they find it. Which doesn't sound so bad except that they all begin at the beginning so that it sounds a bit like singing rounds with 54 parts. There's no cantor or musician on weekday mornings, so the tune and key are anyone's guess as is the tempo because my 2/4 time may be faster than your 2/4 time.
The old ladies warble and trill in that old lady way. The old men either just speak the words aloud or sound as if they are attempting something more operatic. I croak along in my dying frog singing voice while the poor lady next to me, God bless her, is never on the right page. She sings whatever song she opens to, and today I'm pretty sure it was one meant for Advent. It is a mess of noise and offends even my untrained ears.
It wasn't until Monday morning that I realized that this cacophony of noise is the perfect metaphor for Protestantism. Here I sit with a large group of people who all love the same God. We are all working towards the same goal. We are all reading the same book with the same instructions. So how is it that we are all coming up with such different answers? How is it that 54 people reading the same familiar music all sing different songs? How is it that something which starts off with such good intentions ends up in such an awful mess? It's because there's no one in charge.
This is why Jesus did put someone in charge. He chose Simon Peter. After Peter's death, the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, selected Linus and then Anacletus. For almost 2000 years and an unbroken line of 266 popes, God has given us someone on Earth to lead His Church. Christ knew that when people are left without a person in charge they all do it their own way. When left to our own judgment, we all fashion our lives to what is least taxing for us. But just as in music, when there is a designated person to follow we all stretch and reach and the result is glorious to see and hear. It is the Pope's job to remind us when we are wandering away, lagging behind, or just on the wrong page singing the wrong song. It's his job to keep us together and singing on key and in tempo.
See? We need a guy standing up in the front wearing funny looking robes and encouraging us to join right in. How fortunate we are in the Catholic Church that we have one.
All this from the awful music of daily Mass. Tomorrow I'll explain why it's pretty wonderful, too.
(If my musical metaphors are wrong, please excuse me. I'm no musician. I don't even play one on TV.)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Setting the Bar
Last night, my husband got an email from a boy. Not just any boy, but the nice son of my friend K. The one who patiently took my 3 year old a dozen times through the penguin house at Sea World. The kind of boy we all dream that our daughters will be lucky enough to meet someday.
He's been #1's Facebook friend for close to a year now. I know her mom, we have children the same ages who are all homeschooled...it just seemed like a natural thing to let them chat with each other as a reward for finishing Algebra assignments. (We all need a reward at the end of the day if we've finished Algebra.)
This boy wrote to introduce himself to my husband. He listed all his credentials...Catholic, homeschooled, 9 years as an altar server, etc. and then told her father "that he promises" that their conversations will not "pose any problems whatsoever." He then asked my husband if it was okay that he continue emailing her and occasionally calling her. (They live 8 hours away, there will be little if no "face to face" time.)
My husband stared at the computer screen completely flabbergasted. "He's asking my permission to write to my daughter? Who does that any more?" he asked me.
"Boys who respect your daughter," I told him.
He thought about it for a moment and then remarked that they are very young, but even if this doesn't ever go anywhere more than friendship....this boy has set the standard of behavior so high that only a really great guy could ever live up to it. Because how will our daughter, after being treated with such kindness and respect, ever look favorably at anyone who fails to live up to this standard?
We owe a debt of gratitude to the nice boy from Texas. He has shown our daughter the way in which she deserves to be treated, and she likes it. We also owe quite a bit to his parents who have raised a son who is honest enough to not want to even email a girl behind her parents' backs and with the character to treat girls with respect instead of as objects.
He's been #1's Facebook friend for close to a year now. I know her mom, we have children the same ages who are all homeschooled...it just seemed like a natural thing to let them chat with each other as a reward for finishing Algebra assignments. (We all need a reward at the end of the day if we've finished Algebra.)
This boy wrote to introduce himself to my husband. He listed all his credentials...Catholic, homeschooled, 9 years as an altar server, etc. and then told her father "that he promises" that their conversations will not "pose any problems whatsoever." He then asked my husband if it was okay that he continue emailing her and occasionally calling her. (They live 8 hours away, there will be little if no "face to face" time.)
My husband stared at the computer screen completely flabbergasted. "He's asking my permission to write to my daughter? Who does that any more?" he asked me.
"Boys who respect your daughter," I told him.
He thought about it for a moment and then remarked that they are very young, but even if this doesn't ever go anywhere more than friendship....this boy has set the standard of behavior so high that only a really great guy could ever live up to it. Because how will our daughter, after being treated with such kindness and respect, ever look favorably at anyone who fails to live up to this standard?
We owe a debt of gratitude to the nice boy from Texas. He has shown our daughter the way in which she deserves to be treated, and she likes it. We also owe quite a bit to his parents who have raised a son who is honest enough to not want to even email a girl behind her parents' backs and with the character to treat girls with respect instead of as objects.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Who Knew That My Underwear Was So Fascinating?
***My apologies to my male readers. I'm talking undergarments today (in case you didn't get that from the title). You've been warned.***
I have a confession to make...I wrote about girdles yesterday because I was staring at a blank page with no ideas. I had no idea it would be so interesting to so many people. Several of you asked what kind of shapewear I'm wearing....and since yesterday proved that I have no boundaries...I'll tell you.
First, a quick disclaimer(required by the government) that none of these companies have paid for my endorsement in any way. If they'd like to send a few free samples as a thank you....I wouldn't turn it down.
A few of you recommended Spanx. I've tried them, and they just didn't hold the flab enough for me. If they work for you, great! You're a lucky girl. If you need something a bit stronger to tie down what you've got...then here are my picks.
For everyday wear, I really like the Flexees tanks. They look like a regular tank top but have a magic underneath layer that holds it all in. The are long enough to just below my hip bone. They are available in black and white. (I own both) I bought the maximum firm control. They don't roll up from the bottom and look great with a t-shirt and shorts/jeans. I really love that they smooth out the bubble of fat that comes up over my bra strap on my back. (You know that cute thing that grows by your arm pit? Gone. Like magic.)
If I'm smoothing out my waist, behind and thighs, it's the Miraclesuit extra firm control high waist thigh slimmer. It's a big long name, but it works. It stays in place as long as you don't get overly ambitious and buy one that's too small. It's especially good post baby for reminding that skin where it actually belongs. It's kinda hot in the summer, so if you're not going somewhere special, I'd skip this one when it's warm outside. (It's a girdle but they don't call it that.)
Need a better bra? I like the Bali Comfort-U minimizer. After nursing 6 babies, my girls have gone from a C to a DD. It keeps things locked in place and up front where they should be. I really like that it is designed to reduce bra bulge. (I'm not that fat. Even skinny girls get bra bulge.)
I'm also a fan of the Victoria's Secret Full Coverage Minimizer bra. It's feminine, pretty, does the job and their bras last FOREVER if you care for them properly.
Finally, if you are looking for a swimsuit that holds it all in....you have to try the Miraclesuit swimwear. Oh my goodness, y'all. Finally I don't feel as if I have to hide my post-baby body under a beach towel. Kinda pricey but totally worth it if you swim often.
I have a confession to make...I wrote about girdles yesterday because I was staring at a blank page with no ideas. I had no idea it would be so interesting to so many people. Several of you asked what kind of shapewear I'm wearing....and since yesterday proved that I have no boundaries...I'll tell you.
First, a quick disclaimer(required by the government) that none of these companies have paid for my endorsement in any way. If they'd like to send a few free samples as a thank you....I wouldn't turn it down.
A few of you recommended Spanx. I've tried them, and they just didn't hold the flab enough for me. If they work for you, great! You're a lucky girl. If you need something a bit stronger to tie down what you've got...then here are my picks.
For everyday wear, I really like the Flexees tanks. They look like a regular tank top but have a magic underneath layer that holds it all in. The are long enough to just below my hip bone. They are available in black and white. (I own both) I bought the maximum firm control. They don't roll up from the bottom and look great with a t-shirt and shorts/jeans. I really love that they smooth out the bubble of fat that comes up over my bra strap on my back. (You know that cute thing that grows by your arm pit? Gone. Like magic.)
If I'm smoothing out my waist, behind and thighs, it's the Miraclesuit extra firm control high waist thigh slimmer. It's a big long name, but it works. It stays in place as long as you don't get overly ambitious and buy one that's too small. It's especially good post baby for reminding that skin where it actually belongs. It's kinda hot in the summer, so if you're not going somewhere special, I'd skip this one when it's warm outside. (It's a girdle but they don't call it that.)
Need a better bra? I like the Bali Comfort-U minimizer. After nursing 6 babies, my girls have gone from a C to a DD. It keeps things locked in place and up front where they should be. I really like that it is designed to reduce bra bulge. (I'm not that fat. Even skinny girls get bra bulge.)
I'm also a fan of the Victoria's Secret Full Coverage Minimizer bra. It's feminine, pretty, does the job and their bras last FOREVER if you care for them properly.
Finally, if you are looking for a swimsuit that holds it all in....you have to try the Miraclesuit swimwear. Oh my goodness, y'all. Finally I don't feel as if I have to hide my post-baby body under a beach towel. Kinda pricey but totally worth it if you swim often.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Why Didn't They Tell Me Before Now?
***This post is shallow and frivolous and a bit vain. If you're looking for thought provoking be warned that my brain has not yet made it back from vacation.****
I'm not a fan of my body. I've said this before (and got flamed a bit for it) and it still holds true. I've been pregnant 8 times in 15 years and my belly is crinkly, saggy and just seems to have a good bit of extra, floppy skin. It gives me the alluring silhouette of a barrel, and who wouldn't want to look like a barrel? My clothes don't fit right...ever. I have been known to stand sideways in front of the mirror and imagine what it would look like it I just got all the bunchy parts lopped off. It would look amazing.
I know we're not supposed to be shallow and vain and that I probably just need to be grateful that I can have all these children. I'm sure that my secret wish for plastic surgery is just one more sign of spiritual deficiency. So don't lecture me. I already know that I shouldn't worry about it. blah, blah, blah
I want to look and feel pretty in my clothes. Is that too much to ask?
I would give this up as impossible except that I know big-family mamas who have hour-glass figures. I know that they don't live in the gym. (BTW, working out firms muscle but does nothing for skin flop.) I casually mentioned to one of them the other day that I was envious of her flat stomach. The woman has had NINE children and it's flat as a teenager's. She turned her back on the room and raised the hem of her shirt.
SHE WAS WEARING A GIRDLE!!!!!!!!!! She called over a few more moms of big families and guess what? THEY WERE ALL WEARING GIRDLES!!!!!! They were a bit incredulous that I wasn't. What was I thinking going around with skin flop getting in the way of my clothes? Why hadn't they told me?
I thought "foundation garments were an old lady thing. I thought they were done away with when my mom's generation burned their bras. Those old ex-hippie ladies can go around bagging and sagging but I'm more interested in defying the forces of gravity.
I went right out and bought some more supportive underthings and I look a little better in my clothes, thank you very much. I look pretty much the same out of my clothes but the Computer Guy doesn't seem to have too many complaints there.
There you have it......girdles....that's the big secret of their fabulosity....and now it's mine....except I've told you so it's not much of a secret any more....that's okay...now we can all look amazing together.
You're welcome.
I'm not a fan of my body. I've said this before (and got flamed a bit for it) and it still holds true. I've been pregnant 8 times in 15 years and my belly is crinkly, saggy and just seems to have a good bit of extra, floppy skin. It gives me the alluring silhouette of a barrel, and who wouldn't want to look like a barrel? My clothes don't fit right...ever. I have been known to stand sideways in front of the mirror and imagine what it would look like it I just got all the bunchy parts lopped off. It would look amazing.
I know we're not supposed to be shallow and vain and that I probably just need to be grateful that I can have all these children. I'm sure that my secret wish for plastic surgery is just one more sign of spiritual deficiency. So don't lecture me. I already know that I shouldn't worry about it. blah, blah, blah
I want to look and feel pretty in my clothes. Is that too much to ask?
I would give this up as impossible except that I know big-family mamas who have hour-glass figures. I know that they don't live in the gym. (BTW, working out firms muscle but does nothing for skin flop.) I casually mentioned to one of them the other day that I was envious of her flat stomach. The woman has had NINE children and it's flat as a teenager's. She turned her back on the room and raised the hem of her shirt.
SHE WAS WEARING A GIRDLE!!!!!!!!!! She called over a few more moms of big families and guess what? THEY WERE ALL WEARING GIRDLES!!!!!! They were a bit incredulous that I wasn't. What was I thinking going around with skin flop getting in the way of my clothes? Why hadn't they told me?
I thought "foundation garments were an old lady thing. I thought they were done away with when my mom's generation burned their bras. Those old ex-hippie ladies can go around bagging and sagging but I'm more interested in defying the forces of gravity.
I went right out and bought some more supportive underthings and I look a little better in my clothes, thank you very much. I look pretty much the same out of my clothes but the Computer Guy doesn't seem to have too many complaints there.
There you have it......girdles....that's the big secret of their fabulosity....and now it's mine....except I've told you so it's not much of a secret any more....that's okay...now we can all look amazing together.
You're welcome.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Blogger Meet-Ups and Dream Girls
While we were on our trip to/from and in San Antonio last week, I had the great joy of meeting up with two bloggers I have come to love. Well, one I love and one I admire in what I am certain is an almost unhealthy way.
K from Nine Texans has been my internet friend from a time before either of us had a blog. She has nine children. I have six. She had a loaner from somewhere down the street.... Sixteen children and two mommy bloggers in one house for the entire day. It was pretty close to my definition of wonderful.
She has children who match up in age to my own, so each one had someone to play with. Sometimes it was the same sex like my #4 and her Lucy or my #3 and her Ben. There was also my #5 who was content to play with all of the dirt in her gigantic back yard. He almost couldn't believe his luck when I didn't even raise an eyebrow about his dirt-encrusted face. Then there were the other groups like my #1 and her Jack or #2 and Emma. I'm not saying that any matchmaking was going on in her living room, but I think that I owe her a cow and maybe a flock of chickens. (Do chickens come in flocks? Geese are in gaggles...Crows come in flights...chickens...flocks?...herds? A herd of chickens?) (I think I may need stronger ADHD medicine.) Any-who...there were a couple boys there smiling at a couple pretty girls.
K kindly lent her two eldest to me for our trip to Sea World. I definitely needed help with my littlest ones and Jack and Katie were amazingly helpful. I'm awarding each of them a thousand points (redeemable at a later date for unspecified rewards) for being there that day and not walking away in disgust from whining babies and a three year old who rode the moving sidewalk through the penguin house more than a dozen times. (It was all about the moving sidewalk and not the birds. I could have saved the time and money and taken him to the airport.)
At the end of our time together, #1 sighed and said "I so wish we lived closer. They're kind of amazing." and I completely agreed.
A few days later we met up with Jen from Conversion Diary at a playground outside of Austin. I laughed when I saw her because she's kind of my husband's dream girl. He's crazy tall and likes red heads but married short, brunette me. (I think he's happy with that decision. At least he hasn't talked about backsies in a while.) Into the playground walked this gorgeous 6 foot tall woman with long red hair and I knew it would be her. She smiled and I recognized the friendly grin from her blog photo. When she said 'hi' it was with this deep sexy voice and I just had to laugh. It would be so easy to hate her if she weren't so darn nice. Instead I found myself wishing that she were our next door neighbor. (Tell me again about why we're moving to Dallas and not San Antonio or Austin....)
We chatted for an hour about big families and where we each had come from and a bit more here and there. I wish we had had more time, but the Texas sun is awfully hard on pregnant women and she started to wilt. We had to go anyway because we were on our way home and I wanted to get back some time before midnight. I thought about hugging her goodbye, but didn't want to appear any more creepy stalker-y than I already look......then she hugged me so maybe I'm not as stalker-y as I thought. We promised to call/email if I get back to Austin or she comes up to Dallas (or OKC if we haven't yet sold the house.) (Fingers crossed it's more than the "I'll write you" that I told the girls when I was 10 and went to summer camp.) 'Cause...I really liked her and would love to get to know her better. She's completely fascinating and brilliant......and then we could be best friends! What? Too far? Just ignore that last part. It's completely a figment of your imagination.
K from Nine Texans has been my internet friend from a time before either of us had a blog. She has nine children. I have six. She had a loaner from somewhere down the street.... Sixteen children and two mommy bloggers in one house for the entire day. It was pretty close to my definition of wonderful.
She has children who match up in age to my own, so each one had someone to play with. Sometimes it was the same sex like my #4 and her Lucy or my #3 and her Ben. There was also my #5 who was content to play with all of the dirt in her gigantic back yard. He almost couldn't believe his luck when I didn't even raise an eyebrow about his dirt-encrusted face. Then there were the other groups like my #1 and her Jack or #2 and Emma. I'm not saying that any matchmaking was going on in her living room, but I think that I owe her a cow and maybe a flock of chickens. (Do chickens come in flocks? Geese are in gaggles...Crows come in flights...chickens...flocks?...herds? A herd of chickens?) (I think I may need stronger ADHD medicine.) Any-who...there were a couple boys there smiling at a couple pretty girls.
K kindly lent her two eldest to me for our trip to Sea World. I definitely needed help with my littlest ones and Jack and Katie were amazingly helpful. I'm awarding each of them a thousand points (redeemable at a later date for unspecified rewards) for being there that day and not walking away in disgust from whining babies and a three year old who rode the moving sidewalk through the penguin house more than a dozen times. (It was all about the moving sidewalk and not the birds. I could have saved the time and money and taken him to the airport.)
At the end of our time together, #1 sighed and said "I so wish we lived closer. They're kind of amazing." and I completely agreed.
A few days later we met up with Jen from Conversion Diary at a playground outside of Austin. I laughed when I saw her because she's kind of my husband's dream girl. He's crazy tall and likes red heads but married short, brunette me. (I think he's happy with that decision. At least he hasn't talked about backsies in a while.) Into the playground walked this gorgeous 6 foot tall woman with long red hair and I knew it would be her. She smiled and I recognized the friendly grin from her blog photo. When she said 'hi' it was with this deep sexy voice and I just had to laugh. It would be so easy to hate her if she weren't so darn nice. Instead I found myself wishing that she were our next door neighbor. (Tell me again about why we're moving to Dallas and not San Antonio or Austin....)
We chatted for an hour about big families and where we each had come from and a bit more here and there. I wish we had had more time, but the Texas sun is awfully hard on pregnant women and she started to wilt. We had to go anyway because we were on our way home and I wanted to get back some time before midnight. I thought about hugging her goodbye, but didn't want to appear any more creepy stalker-y than I already look......then she hugged me so maybe I'm not as stalker-y as I thought. We promised to call/email if I get back to Austin or she comes up to Dallas (or OKC if we haven't yet sold the house.) (Fingers crossed it's more than the "I'll write you" that I told the girls when I was 10 and went to summer camp.) 'Cause...I really liked her and would love to get to know her better. She's completely fascinating and brilliant......and then we could be best friends! What? Too far? Just ignore that last part. It's completely a figment of your imagination.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Somebody ***Updated
San Antonio has been a fun vacation for all of us (although I think I'm about ready to go home now) except for poor #5. Our 3-year-old has been having a rough time of it. He seems to have picked up a stalker here. I haven't seen him (?) yet, but he's sure been causing us a lot of trouble.
It began in the car when "Somebody spilled my water on my shirt." We initially laughed off his "somebody," but we're taking him seriously now.
At the Alamo, "Somebody stepped on my foot." On the Riverwalk, "Somebody got sun in my eyes.
I started looking around for this evil do-er, but must have been looking in the wrong direction because then "Somebody drank all my milk."
But it wasn't until he wailed that "Somebody peed in my underwear" that we knew what kind of criminal mastermind was really at work.
Hopefully when we leave San Antonio "Somebody" will stay behind and we can get back to his brothers "Not Me" and "I dunno." I've learned the secrets of their evil long ago.
**Update- When we got home I decided that Somebody could stay. He does laundry. No fooling. #5 walked up to me and said "Somebody needs to wash my blanket." I blinked at him and then said "He does laundry?" "Yes." I don't care how much trouble Somebody causes. Anybody who does laundry is alright by me.
It began in the car when "Somebody spilled my water on my shirt." We initially laughed off his "somebody," but we're taking him seriously now.
At the Alamo, "Somebody stepped on my foot." On the Riverwalk, "Somebody got sun in my eyes.
I started looking around for this evil do-er, but must have been looking in the wrong direction because then "Somebody drank all my milk."
But it wasn't until he wailed that "Somebody peed in my underwear" that we knew what kind of criminal mastermind was really at work.
Hopefully when we leave San Antonio "Somebody" will stay behind and we can get back to his brothers "Not Me" and "I dunno." I've learned the secrets of their evil long ago.
**Update- When we got home I decided that Somebody could stay. He does laundry. No fooling. #5 walked up to me and said "Somebody needs to wash my blanket." I blinked at him and then said "He does laundry?" "Yes." I don't care how much trouble Somebody causes. Anybody who does laundry is alright by me.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Spring Break
It's Spring Break this week in Oklahoma. With the Computer Guy working incredibly long hours in preparation for the big office move and the house needing to stay spotless for showing, I threw some stuff in a few suitcases and hightailed it out of town for the next week.
Today we drove 9 hours south to San Antonio, Texas. Three traffic jams, one puking baby and a book on tape ....we finally checked into our hotel and the wound up children are fighting sleep.
It should be a fun week of touristy stuff and visiting friends. I wish my sweet husband could have joined us, but I have plans for him this summer when our anniversary rolls around. Hopefully he'll spend the week enjoying the rare sound of silence and be well rested when we return.
I miss you honey. Saturday will be here before you know it.
Today we drove 9 hours south to San Antonio, Texas. Three traffic jams, one puking baby and a book on tape ....we finally checked into our hotel and the wound up children are fighting sleep.
It should be a fun week of touristy stuff and visiting friends. I wish my sweet husband could have joined us, but I have plans for him this summer when our anniversary rolls around. Hopefully he'll spend the week enjoying the rare sound of silence and be well rested when we return.
I miss you honey. Saturday will be here before you know it.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Relief
I have no memory. Really. I forget everything..dates, plans, where I put my keys, things I try to memorize, names...everything. I've only told one person that before this week. It seems to be getting worse as I get older and just thinking about my poor memory can reduce me to tears.
Let me go back to the beginning. I have a mother who suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) when I was 14. She has short term memory loss and some long term issues. Highly emotional situations are almost guaranteed to disappear from her memory. Her TBI made her children her caretakers and took our childhoods long before we reached adulthood. My greatest fear is of losing my own memory. I've seen the damage it does.
I fear this so much that I don't mention it to anyone, not my husband, doctor or best friends. I would just tell myself that if I became more organized, or wrote things down, or tried harder it would get better. Secretly I wondered if the concussion I got in that same accident had been worse than anyone suspected. I feared becoming broken.
This week, I worked up the courage to mention it to a close friend. "Do you think I have a bad memory?" I asked her.
"You have the worst memory of anyone I know," was the crushing reply.
I started quizzing other friends who all said similar things. "You forget everything." "I know that if we have plans that I need to call you the day before and the day of to remind you. If I don't. then you won't show up, or will double book." I was even told, "We all kind of warn the new moms in our group. Rebecca is the nicest person you will ever meet. She's the best friend that you will ever have, but her memory is crap. If she forgets something you have planned or repeats herself a dozen times, don't take it personally...it's just part of who she is. It's worth the effort to be her friend"
I hung up the phone after talking to the 5th one, and I cried. I was my mother. I had become a burden on the people I know and love. They have to cover for me and explain me to new people. I have great friends, but ....how horrifying.
I sucked it up and went to the doctor. It's a new doctor I've never seen before now. I picked her out of our provider handbook and then prayed. I prayed that she would be nice, and that she would have the wisdom to figure it out.
I chatted with the doctor for a few minutes in that "getting to know you" part of the appointment. She jotted down a few notes and then said, "So, what can I do for you today?"
I totally chickened out and said, "I've had really bad heartburn since the baby was born. It doesn't go away even with OTC medication." In my defense, I really do have heartburn and it really doesn't go away.
She asked me a few questions and then looked at me expectantly. After a long awkward pause she said, "And how are you treating your ADHD?" I was floored.
"I have ADHD?" I asked.
She smiled at me and walked away. She returned with a 4 page questionnaire and waited while I filled it out. She quickly scored it and then said definitively, "You have ADHD. I didn't need the questionnaire, but it confirms what I can plainly see." She went on to tell me that on a scale of 0-80 with 0 being 'your brain is slug-like' and 80 being 'your brain is on hyper-drive' I scored a 72.
Far from surprised, the doctor said that I has skipped around through 6 unrelated subjects in less than 10 minutes all while constantly fidgeting, and she said "Nobody talks as fast as you do unless they are from New England, on speed, or have ADHD." She told me a lot about my brains inner-workings and then said "I'm surprised you don't have pretty substantial memory issues with a score like this. I don't mean you forget the big stuff, but I would think you'd forget all the little stuff all the time." Is it wrong to hug your doctor?
I'm not slowly sliding into dementia. My brain just moves too quickly and too erratically to create connected memories. We just need to slow it down a bit, so we have.
I started a prescription 3 days ago and it should take 3 weeks to reach full effect, but oh my..the difference. She told me that if this was the right medication it would be obvious within a few hours. It was. The background noise in my brain went away. It's like getting rid of the static on a radio station. The noise I never noticed is gone.
I'm not damaged. I'm not a stupid person. It's not that I'm flake (although I may actually be a flake...I'll let you know in a few weeks.) I just have a brain that moves at warp speed, and that can be treated.
That evening, I waited in the living room for the Computer guy to get home and rehearsed how I would tell him. As I started speaking, he interrupted me, "What happened today? You're speaking at a normal person speed." With relief, I told him of my fears and the answer I had gotten....for once I told him something and went straight from A to B without my story meandering around and hitting all the other letters on the way. I could think in a straight line without distraction. If the next three weeks will make it better than this? I can't wait.
**Did you make it all the way though? Thanks for sticking with me!**
Let me go back to the beginning. I have a mother who suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) when I was 14. She has short term memory loss and some long term issues. Highly emotional situations are almost guaranteed to disappear from her memory. Her TBI made her children her caretakers and took our childhoods long before we reached adulthood. My greatest fear is of losing my own memory. I've seen the damage it does.
I fear this so much that I don't mention it to anyone, not my husband, doctor or best friends. I would just tell myself that if I became more organized, or wrote things down, or tried harder it would get better. Secretly I wondered if the concussion I got in that same accident had been worse than anyone suspected. I feared becoming broken.
This week, I worked up the courage to mention it to a close friend. "Do you think I have a bad memory?" I asked her.
"You have the worst memory of anyone I know," was the crushing reply.
I started quizzing other friends who all said similar things. "You forget everything." "I know that if we have plans that I need to call you the day before and the day of to remind you. If I don't. then you won't show up, or will double book." I was even told, "We all kind of warn the new moms in our group. Rebecca is the nicest person you will ever meet. She's the best friend that you will ever have, but her memory is crap. If she forgets something you have planned or repeats herself a dozen times, don't take it personally...it's just part of who she is. It's worth the effort to be her friend"
I hung up the phone after talking to the 5th one, and I cried. I was my mother. I had become a burden on the people I know and love. They have to cover for me and explain me to new people. I have great friends, but ....how horrifying.
I sucked it up and went to the doctor. It's a new doctor I've never seen before now. I picked her out of our provider handbook and then prayed. I prayed that she would be nice, and that she would have the wisdom to figure it out.
I chatted with the doctor for a few minutes in that "getting to know you" part of the appointment. She jotted down a few notes and then said, "So, what can I do for you today?"
I totally chickened out and said, "I've had really bad heartburn since the baby was born. It doesn't go away even with OTC medication." In my defense, I really do have heartburn and it really doesn't go away.
She asked me a few questions and then looked at me expectantly. After a long awkward pause she said, "And how are you treating your ADHD?" I was floored.
"I have ADHD?" I asked.
She smiled at me and walked away. She returned with a 4 page questionnaire and waited while I filled it out. She quickly scored it and then said definitively, "You have ADHD. I didn't need the questionnaire, but it confirms what I can plainly see." She went on to tell me that on a scale of 0-80 with 0 being 'your brain is slug-like' and 80 being 'your brain is on hyper-drive' I scored a 72.
Far from surprised, the doctor said that I has skipped around through 6 unrelated subjects in less than 10 minutes all while constantly fidgeting, and she said "Nobody talks as fast as you do unless they are from New England, on speed, or have ADHD." She told me a lot about my brains inner-workings and then said "I'm surprised you don't have pretty substantial memory issues with a score like this. I don't mean you forget the big stuff, but I would think you'd forget all the little stuff all the time." Is it wrong to hug your doctor?
I'm not slowly sliding into dementia. My brain just moves too quickly and too erratically to create connected memories. We just need to slow it down a bit, so we have.
I started a prescription 3 days ago and it should take 3 weeks to reach full effect, but oh my..the difference. She told me that if this was the right medication it would be obvious within a few hours. It was. The background noise in my brain went away. It's like getting rid of the static on a radio station. The noise I never noticed is gone.
I'm not damaged. I'm not a stupid person. It's not that I'm flake (although I may actually be a flake...I'll let you know in a few weeks.) I just have a brain that moves at warp speed, and that can be treated.
That evening, I waited in the living room for the Computer guy to get home and rehearsed how I would tell him. As I started speaking, he interrupted me, "What happened today? You're speaking at a normal person speed." With relief, I told him of my fears and the answer I had gotten....for once I told him something and went straight from A to B without my story meandering around and hitting all the other letters on the way. I could think in a straight line without distraction. If the next three weeks will make it better than this? I can't wait.
**Did you make it all the way though? Thanks for sticking with me!**
Mass Report 3/11/11
Mass Attended: 8AM
People in Attendance: 56 including 2 nuns in full habit
Notes: Much better time than the 6AM but half the morning seemed gone before I got home stuff going. On the other hand, #2 jumped at the chance to go to Mass with me.
People in Attendance: 56 including 2 nuns in full habit
Notes: Much better time than the 6AM but half the morning seemed gone before I got home stuff going. On the other hand, #2 jumped at the chance to go to Mass with me.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
"You Have a Little Smudge" -- Accepting the Challenge
**Reposted from last year. I went and reread it and didn't really have anything to add.**
"You have a little smudge, right there, on your forehead." Then a helpful hand reaches out to brush it away. This scene will be replayed over and over again today as total strangers try to save me from the embarrassment of walking around with a dirty face.
Standing out from the norm is not easy; having something which marks us as somehow apart from everyone else is not always comfortable. It is the mark upon my forehead which today proclaims that I am not one of the crowd. It defiantly marks me as a Catholic in a part of the world which is outspokenly not.
There are few Catholics here, and even fewer practicing Catholics, so our ash smudged foreheads seem very out of place. This unfamiliarity brings out the handkerchiefs, the licked thumbs, the helpful swipes. By the end of the day, the children and I will be adept at the Catholic backbend which protects the marks upon our brows and becomes symbolic of something greater.
These same helpful people who would remove our smudges are symbols of the greater world. They remind us of how eager the world is to remove from us any trace of Christ or His Church. They represent those who would convince us that contraception is fine and the Church is wrong, that Confession is un-Biblical, that prayers to saints are idolatrous or pointless, that the denomination we belong to really does not matter in the eyes of God, or that somehow God himself does not exist and that all of our efforts are vain so we should enjoy our lives while we have them. It will not be tissue they use to remove the mark of our faith, but words and arguments and even their own love for us will become their spot remover of choice.
It is because of their kind efforts that we must pray harder, go to Mass more often, sacrifice more, read God's word more attentively, and spend more time with our Lord in Adoration. We must perfect our spiritual backbends, our ways of evading their attempts at removing our Catholicity. Ash Wednesday is just the warm-up for what lies ahead.
Happy Ash Wednesday Everyone! May your cross surprise no one today, and may you willingly accept the daily challenge that it offers.
"You have a little smudge, right there, on your forehead." Then a helpful hand reaches out to brush it away. This scene will be replayed over and over again today as total strangers try to save me from the embarrassment of walking around with a dirty face.
Standing out from the norm is not easy; having something which marks us as somehow apart from everyone else is not always comfortable. It is the mark upon my forehead which today proclaims that I am not one of the crowd. It defiantly marks me as a Catholic in a part of the world which is outspokenly not.
There are few Catholics here, and even fewer practicing Catholics, so our ash smudged foreheads seem very out of place. This unfamiliarity brings out the handkerchiefs, the licked thumbs, the helpful swipes. By the end of the day, the children and I will be adept at the Catholic backbend which protects the marks upon our brows and becomes symbolic of something greater.
These same helpful people who would remove our smudges are symbols of the greater world. They remind us of how eager the world is to remove from us any trace of Christ or His Church. They represent those who would convince us that contraception is fine and the Church is wrong, that Confession is un-Biblical, that prayers to saints are idolatrous or pointless, that the denomination we belong to really does not matter in the eyes of God, or that somehow God himself does not exist and that all of our efforts are vain so we should enjoy our lives while we have them. It will not be tissue they use to remove the mark of our faith, but words and arguments and even their own love for us will become their spot remover of choice.
It is because of their kind efforts that we must pray harder, go to Mass more often, sacrifice more, read God's word more attentively, and spend more time with our Lord in Adoration. We must perfect our spiritual backbends, our ways of evading their attempts at removing our Catholicity. Ash Wednesday is just the warm-up for what lies ahead.
Happy Ash Wednesday Everyone! May your cross surprise no one today, and may you willingly accept the daily challenge that it offers.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Giving Up
For those of you who are either not Catholic or don't own a calendar, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. That means today is Fat Tuesday....or as it's known in our house....Eat All the Chocolate in the House Day. The children, or at least some of them, are giving up candy for Lent and it's easier on all of us if temptation is not in the house.
My sweet husband gives up cursing every year. It's amazing how this simple change in vocabulary changes the world around him. His co-workers look forward to his attitude shift every Lent. He doesn't even cuss that often, only when the stupid computers stop working, but it's the knowledge that he has to control himself that changes things.
My eldest child and I are both giving up Facebook. It's a major time thief for both of us. There are so many other things we could be doing with our time that aren't on a computer screen. We could actually (Gasp!) spend time with the people in our house.
These things all help us to become better people and closer to what God wants from us. Eating healthier, watching our language, and not wasting time are all good things for us to do. I just am looking for something a bit more this Lent.
So I'm going to add daily Mass to my schedule. This means giving up sleeping in. It means giving up a morning snuggled under my warm blankets and cuddling with the little boys. The whole of the day is available for the boys (especially without Facebook) but the mornings will belong to God.
I'm feeling the need to begin my days in the presence of the Almighty. I'm needing to draw myself into Him. This year my Lent is not going to be about me and what I'm giving up, but about rediscovering Peace, Joy and making time for God
My sweet husband gives up cursing every year. It's amazing how this simple change in vocabulary changes the world around him. His co-workers look forward to his attitude shift every Lent. He doesn't even cuss that often, only when the stupid computers stop working, but it's the knowledge that he has to control himself that changes things.
My eldest child and I are both giving up Facebook. It's a major time thief for both of us. There are so many other things we could be doing with our time that aren't on a computer screen. We could actually (Gasp!) spend time with the people in our house.
These things all help us to become better people and closer to what God wants from us. Eating healthier, watching our language, and not wasting time are all good things for us to do. I just am looking for something a bit more this Lent.
So I'm going to add daily Mass to my schedule. This means giving up sleeping in. It means giving up a morning snuggled under my warm blankets and cuddling with the little boys. The whole of the day is available for the boys (especially without Facebook) but the mornings will belong to God.
I'm feeling the need to begin my days in the presence of the Almighty. I'm needing to draw myself into Him. This year my Lent is not going to be about me and what I'm giving up, but about rediscovering Peace, Joy and making time for God
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Incredibly Blessed -- Repaying the Favor
When I recently wrote of the pain of leaving our daughter in Oklahoma when we move to Texas, I was simply pouring out the contents of my broken heart. I was completely unprepared for what followed. Friends and acquaintances, family and total strangers have all offered to take over for us when we leave. These lovely, wonderful people have promised to tend her grave and not let her little life be forgotten.
How can I ever say thank you enough? I handed the pain to God, and in His mercy He has sent a host of people to stand in our place. I am completely undone by their generosity and love for us and for our tiny, precious daughter.
Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for seeing the pain in a mother's heart and sending these dear ones to us. The relief that we feel in knowing that her grave will be tended is inexplicable
This is why we have resolved to find the cemetery closest to our new house (when we find one) and tend the untended there. We can not do this kindness for our own girl, so we shall do it for someone else's. It is all we can do in repayment for the kindness and grace we have been so blessed to have been given. We can pray for those who love our child in our stead, and we can repay the favor.
God bless you all, and thank you more than I have words to say.
How can I ever say thank you enough? I handed the pain to God, and in His mercy He has sent a host of people to stand in our place. I am completely undone by their generosity and love for us and for our tiny, precious daughter.
Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for seeing the pain in a mother's heart and sending these dear ones to us. The relief that we feel in knowing that her grave will be tended is inexplicable
This is why we have resolved to find the cemetery closest to our new house (when we find one) and tend the untended there. We can not do this kindness for our own girl, so we shall do it for someone else's. It is all we can do in repayment for the kindness and grace we have been so blessed to have been given. We can pray for those who love our child in our stead, and we can repay the favor.
God bless you all, and thank you more than I have words to say.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Answering Laurie -- Defending Prayers to Saints
In my recent post on burying St Joseph statues to speed up a real estate sale, I received a response from a former-Catholic that I think merits its own space for an answer. The original comment is in black and my responses are in red. It's long. I apologize for that, but some things are worth the space and time.
God declares in 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Proverbs 3:5-6 says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Therefore, if we truly trust God and He tells us that Jesus is the ONE mediator between Himself and us, then why, why, why do we think prayer to a saint is a better option? We don't think this. The Catholic Church does not teach this. We believe that the Primary Mediator between God and Man is Jesus Christ. The rest of us, including the saints, are subordinate to Him. That is..we are not God but we are still to pray for each other. This is why in 1Tim 2:1-2 Paul directs us to offer "petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving .... for everyone." If the only one who could offer prayers on our behalf to God was Jesus Christ, then why would Paul instruct us to pray for each other? Do you believe that asking another person to pray for you is idolatrous? Is it somehow disrespectful of the primary place of Christ? For example, would it be wrong for me to ask you to pray for me? If not, why not? Do we think God will listen more closely to a saint than He would His own Son? No. The bible says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) Do we think some scripture is simply not applicable to ourselves? No. Please tell me where I or the Catholic Church have ever stated that Scripture does not apply to us? Please cite specific examples.
Are there any instances of believers praying to saints in Heaven anywhere in the bible? God COMMANDS "You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods" (Exodus 20:4-5). In Jeremiah 15:1 and again in Luke 16:27-28, God acknowledges that the dead plead before Him on behalf of the living, and in Zechariah 1:12 that the angels do. So we do know that saints and angels both praying for us. As for the living talking to the dead? Jesus spoke with Elijah and Moses in Matt 17:3, Mark 12:27, Luke 20:38. So if we can speak and the saints will hear us, and the Bible says they pray for us...why wouldn't we ask them to pray for us? You seem to believe that the dead are gone and buried, but they are not. Their souls are alive in Christ and live in Heaven.
A believer who prays to a saint INSTEAD of God THROUGH the ONE mediator (JESUS) is like a child going through a dear family friend to get the attention of his mother's heart. You are correct. Nobody should pray to a saint INSTEAD of praying to God. If that were your child, how would that make you feel? My feelings about my children are irrelevant to this discussion. This is an emotional appeal fallacy. It is an appeal to emotion rather than logic. Since feelings can be neither right nor wrong, my feelings do not matter in this debate. Imagine then, how God must feel when we break His Command and trust not in Him with our whole heart? It is impossible for me, a mere human being, to understand the workings of the mind or heart of the Almighty. It would be wrong of me to project my human frailty upon Him. Do you not agree?
I mean not to offend, but there is only one Truth. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Why would Jesus say that if it weren't so? Agreed. I have no debate with that, neither does the Catholic Church.
I mean not to offend. I am never offended by honest questions. I welcome them I’m spent nearly 40 years of my life as a Catholic who knew “about” Jesus. I just didn’t KNOW Him. This is a pity and a shame. Was this the failing of the Church or of your own understanding of its teachings? You seem to be misinformed about what the Church truly teaches. This is one of the sad outcomes of the poor catechesis of the Post-Vatican II era. I am truly sorry. And now that I’ve been given New Life in Christ, You were granted a New Life in Christ at Baptism, i.e. Born Again. It is just lately that you have begun to accept and embrace the life which you were given. I have never been so free or so sure of my salvation since the moment I stopped listening to man and started trusting in the Lord, my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are not to be "sure of our salvation", but to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) not with a false assurance but in humility and "hopeful confidence" (Rom 5:2). My heart breaks for those who don’t understand the Truth about who Jesus is, and clearly, praying to saints above Him is not understanding who He is or what He did for us on that cross. As I have already said, we are in complete agreement. Anyone who prays to the saints ABOVE Christ is in error.
Feel free to respond, but please don’t be angry with my message. It is not my own. It is God’s. Why would I be angered by anyone who reaches out to me as a Sister in Christ? I believe that you are sadly misguided, but your intentions were pure and loving. I thank you for what you are intending to do.
In Christ, with Love, Laurie
Laurie, I think the problem here is you understanding of the verb "to pray." You are using the definition "to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship)" Which is the form of the verb that Catholics also use when we talk about praying to God. You, and everyone else who asks about this topic, seem to forget that there is another definition which is "to make petition or entreaty for; crave" as in "She prayed his forgiveness." Which basically means "to ask".
Catholicism is an ancient religion. (It goes all the way back to 32 A.D.) Because we are blessed with a long and rich tradition that our modern American Evangelical Protestant brethren are lacking, they often forget that every word we use has been translated into modern vernacular. Therefore, we use an older meaning of the word "pray" than is commonly used. It is still a valid use and definition, but is not the regular usage, and therein lies your confusion.
We do not pray to the saints as we do to God. One is divine, the others are not. They are however above us as they are already in the presence of God Almighty and purified of sin. (What sin could survive in Heaven?) If, as the Bible states, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16, then who, other than God himself, is more righteous than they? If I am going to ask my fellow Christians to pray for me, why would I neglect the most righteous people I could ask....people the Bible says are already praying on our behalf?
You seem to believe that the Catholic Church is not a Bible-believing church. We are....not only that, but we are the one and only Bible-writing church. If we wrote it, don't you think it's reasonable to assume that we agree with what's in there?
God declares in 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Proverbs 3:5-6 says to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Therefore, if we truly trust God and He tells us that Jesus is the ONE mediator between Himself and us, then why, why, why do we think prayer to a saint is a better option? We don't think this. The Catholic Church does not teach this. We believe that the Primary Mediator between God and Man is Jesus Christ. The rest of us, including the saints, are subordinate to Him. That is..we are not God but we are still to pray for each other. This is why in 1Tim 2:1-2 Paul directs us to offer "petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving .... for everyone." If the only one who could offer prayers on our behalf to God was Jesus Christ, then why would Paul instruct us to pray for each other? Do you believe that asking another person to pray for you is idolatrous? Is it somehow disrespectful of the primary place of Christ? For example, would it be wrong for me to ask you to pray for me? If not, why not? Do we think God will listen more closely to a saint than He would His own Son? No. The bible says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) Do we think some scripture is simply not applicable to ourselves? No. Please tell me where I or the Catholic Church have ever stated that Scripture does not apply to us? Please cite specific examples.
Are there any instances of believers praying to saints in Heaven anywhere in the bible? God COMMANDS "You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods" (Exodus 20:4-5). In Jeremiah 15:1 and again in Luke 16:27-28, God acknowledges that the dead plead before Him on behalf of the living, and in Zechariah 1:12 that the angels do. So we do know that saints and angels both praying for us. As for the living talking to the dead? Jesus spoke with Elijah and Moses in Matt 17:3, Mark 12:27, Luke 20:38. So if we can speak and the saints will hear us, and the Bible says they pray for us...why wouldn't we ask them to pray for us? You seem to believe that the dead are gone and buried, but they are not. Their souls are alive in Christ and live in Heaven.
A believer who prays to a saint INSTEAD of God THROUGH the ONE mediator (JESUS) is like a child going through a dear family friend to get the attention of his mother's heart. You are correct. Nobody should pray to a saint INSTEAD of praying to God. If that were your child, how would that make you feel? My feelings about my children are irrelevant to this discussion. This is an emotional appeal fallacy. It is an appeal to emotion rather than logic. Since feelings can be neither right nor wrong, my feelings do not matter in this debate. Imagine then, how God must feel when we break His Command and trust not in Him with our whole heart? It is impossible for me, a mere human being, to understand the workings of the mind or heart of the Almighty. It would be wrong of me to project my human frailty upon Him. Do you not agree?
I mean not to offend, but there is only one Truth. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Why would Jesus say that if it weren't so? Agreed. I have no debate with that, neither does the Catholic Church.
I mean not to offend. I am never offended by honest questions. I welcome them I’m spent nearly 40 years of my life as a Catholic who knew “about” Jesus. I just didn’t KNOW Him. This is a pity and a shame. Was this the failing of the Church or of your own understanding of its teachings? You seem to be misinformed about what the Church truly teaches. This is one of the sad outcomes of the poor catechesis of the Post-Vatican II era. I am truly sorry. And now that I’ve been given New Life in Christ, You were granted a New Life in Christ at Baptism, i.e. Born Again. It is just lately that you have begun to accept and embrace the life which you were given. I have never been so free or so sure of my salvation since the moment I stopped listening to man and started trusting in the Lord, my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are not to be "sure of our salvation", but to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) not with a false assurance but in humility and "hopeful confidence" (Rom 5:2). My heart breaks for those who don’t understand the Truth about who Jesus is, and clearly, praying to saints above Him is not understanding who He is or what He did for us on that cross. As I have already said, we are in complete agreement. Anyone who prays to the saints ABOVE Christ is in error.
Feel free to respond, but please don’t be angry with my message. It is not my own. It is God’s. Why would I be angered by anyone who reaches out to me as a Sister in Christ? I believe that you are sadly misguided, but your intentions were pure and loving. I thank you for what you are intending to do.
In Christ, with Love, Laurie
Laurie, I think the problem here is you understanding of the verb "to pray." You are using the definition "to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship)" Which is the form of the verb that Catholics also use when we talk about praying to God. You, and everyone else who asks about this topic, seem to forget that there is another definition which is "to make petition or entreaty for; crave" as in "She prayed his forgiveness." Which basically means "to ask".
Catholicism is an ancient religion. (It goes all the way back to 32 A.D.) Because we are blessed with a long and rich tradition that our modern American Evangelical Protestant brethren are lacking, they often forget that every word we use has been translated into modern vernacular. Therefore, we use an older meaning of the word "pray" than is commonly used. It is still a valid use and definition, but is not the regular usage, and therein lies your confusion.
We do not pray to the saints as we do to God. One is divine, the others are not. They are however above us as they are already in the presence of God Almighty and purified of sin. (What sin could survive in Heaven?) If, as the Bible states, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16, then who, other than God himself, is more righteous than they? If I am going to ask my fellow Christians to pray for me, why would I neglect the most righteous people I could ask....people the Bible says are already praying on our behalf?
You seem to believe that the Catholic Church is not a Bible-believing church. We are....not only that, but we are the one and only Bible-writing church. If we wrote it, don't you think it's reasonable to assume that we agree with what's in there?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hey, New Moms...Do You Have a Moment?
I recently got an email from a college student at Mills College in Oakland, CA. She is working on a research project on maternal psychological experience of birth and feelings about relationships and motherhood. In English, what effect your experiences during birth had on your perceptions and emotions as a new mom.
She has had no problem finding first time moms to take her survey, but moms of slightly larger families have been a bit more difficult to come by. She's looking for any mom of a baby 12 months or younger (whether this is your 1st or your 12th) to take a brief 20-30 minute survey.
Her college is pretty liberal, so I was initially skeptical about the spin she was looking for....but I've read her proposal and the entire survey, and she's not only on the up and up, but seems to really be onto something with the questions she's asking.
So, if you have the time, help Samantha out. If not, please consider making the time. She's trying to help all of us and, through us, our children.
Here's the link www.surveymonkey.com/s/birthandmotherhood
The study closes March 6th, so don't dawdle too long. Thank you.
She has had no problem finding first time moms to take her survey, but moms of slightly larger families have been a bit more difficult to come by. She's looking for any mom of a baby 12 months or younger (whether this is your 1st or your 12th) to take a brief 20-30 minute survey.
Her college is pretty liberal, so I was initially skeptical about the spin she was looking for....but I've read her proposal and the entire survey, and she's not only on the up and up, but seems to really be onto something with the questions she's asking.
So, if you have the time, help Samantha out. If not, please consider making the time. She's trying to help all of us and, through us, our children.
Here's the link www.surveymonkey.com/s/birthandmotherhood
The study closes March 6th, so don't dawdle too long. Thank you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
There's Just Something Wrong With That
Our house has been on the market for the past 23 days. We've only had one looker and the house down the street (same size similar condition) was listed today for $20,000 less than ours. It's hard not to begin worrying just a bit.
Three different people have offered us their St Joseph statues to bury in our yards. They all tell me that if I bury him upside down facing the house and then pray
I have a problem with this.
First of all this isn't religion, it's voodoo. It just has the feel of casting some sort of spell instead of trusting in God. Asking the real St Joseph for prayers - I have no problem with. I've been asking for his help for a while now. Threatening a piece of plastic and putting our faith in it? There's just something about that that seems a bit off.
They tell me, "It's not what you think. You're making a bigger thing of it that it really is. It's just a dumb thing that people do." (This really is what they've all told me.)
They're either threatening a piece of plastic which is stupid, or they're threatening a saint. (They're threatening and blackmailing the step-father of Christ!) That's about as dumb as it gets as far as I'm concerned. Added to this is the fact that they aren't asking for his prayers to strengthen their faith in God, but in the real estate market.
Y'all, this is just all kinds of wrong.
You can tell me all you like about how burying this dumb statue sold your house, but threatening a saint to get more money so that you can have more faith in the things of this world? How does that sound like a good idea?
The only people who can profit from this nonsense are the people selling the stupid kits.
Want some real help? How about asking God for guidance? How about asking St Joseph for prayers for the sale of your house? Because the thing is..... St Joseph doesn't have the power to sell our house. He just knows who to talk to about that.
Bottom line: saints can help you with prayers for stuff. They can't get you the actual stuff.
Three different people have offered us their St Joseph statues to bury in our yards. They all tell me that if I bury him upside down facing the house and then pray
"Oh, St. Joseph, guardian of household needs, we know you don't like to be upside down in the ground, but the sooner escrow closes, the sooner we will dig you up and put you in a place of honor in our new home. Please bring us an acceptable offer (or any offer!) and help sustain our faith in the real estate market."our house will sell.
I have a problem with this.
First of all this isn't religion, it's voodoo. It just has the feel of casting some sort of spell instead of trusting in God. Asking the real St Joseph for prayers - I have no problem with. I've been asking for his help for a while now. Threatening a piece of plastic and putting our faith in it? There's just something about that that seems a bit off.
They tell me, "It's not what you think. You're making a bigger thing of it that it really is. It's just a dumb thing that people do." (This really is what they've all told me.)
They're either threatening a piece of plastic which is stupid, or they're threatening a saint. (They're threatening and blackmailing the step-father of Christ!) That's about as dumb as it gets as far as I'm concerned. Added to this is the fact that they aren't asking for his prayers to strengthen their faith in God, but in the real estate market.
Y'all, this is just all kinds of wrong.
You can tell me all you like about how burying this dumb statue sold your house, but threatening a saint to get more money so that you can have more faith in the things of this world? How does that sound like a good idea?
The only people who can profit from this nonsense are the people selling the stupid kits.
Want some real help? How about asking God for guidance? How about asking St Joseph for prayers for the sale of your house? Because the thing is..... St Joseph doesn't have the power to sell our house. He just knows who to talk to about that.
**Just so you know, the Church isn't in favor of this kind of superstitious nonsense.
When asked about this practice, Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan said that while the Church encourages devotion to saints, it does mind "superstitions and sales gimmicks. 'If it's a pious practice, of just a way of some devotion to Joseph, then it's fine,' said Omaha Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan.
'(But) if it's the kind of thing that is superstitious, that is, there's some kind of infallible result, then I think the church would frown on it. Because we don't look upon any kind of intercession with the saints or any kind of prayers as having those kind of infallible results.' "
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