Wordless Wednesday -- Homeschool Gym

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Terri's Day is Tomorrow

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Don't let the world forget what was done to her. Father Frank Pavone wrote today:

"On March 30, 2005, Terri Schiavo had her last full day of life on this earth. I spent her last night by her side, praying with her, reading Scripture to her, and assuring her of the love of so many of you.

Terri had not received a drop of water in nearly two weeks.

As I reached out my hand to touch hers, I could also reach it out to touch the vase of flowers that was next to her. And that vase was filled with water. The flowers were nourished; Terri was deprived of nourishment. Court orders saw to it that none of us could give her some of the water that nourished the flowers.

In a culture of death, law is divorced from humanity. And we are all victimized in the process."

–Fr. Frank

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Weep for yourselves and for your children

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"A large crowd of people followed Jesus,
including many women who mourned and lamented him.
Jesus turned to them and said,
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me;
weep instead for yourselves and for your children
for indeed, the days are coming when people will say,
'Blessed are the barren,
the wombs that never bore
and the breasts that never nursed.' " Lk 23:27-29

My skin grew goosebumps yesterday when our priest read these words during the Passion.

...the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore'

Isn't that what our president said when he told America, "Look, I got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old," he said. "I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

...the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore'

Isn't that what Planned Parenthood says when they publish on their website: "Abortions are very common. In fact, more than 1 out of 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old."

...weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore'

And is that not why Mother Teresa said, "Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion."


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Therefore do not be anxious

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"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." -- Matthew 6:25-34

I have always loved that passage in scripture. In our day, and (currently) in our country, however, we rarely have to truly worry about where our next meal is coming from. Times get tight, but rarely do any of us go hungry. It's hard to learn this lesson if you never have to be anxious.

Today, early this morning, I took my high schooler Joshua to earn some service hours at the local St. Vincent de Paul pantry. His job, and I was "invited" to help as well, was to fill grocery sacks with food, bucket brigade style, for the needy who are elderly and shut-in, or handicapped. After the bags were filled with a balance of pantry items, frozen meat, and fresh bread, they were to be delivered by drivers right to the door of those in need.

I was chatting with the lady who stood next to me filling bags with canned goods -- she was one of the organizers of the bi-monthly project. I was curious as to where the food comes from -- because they were boxes of like items -- all the same brand, so clearly they had not come from random food collections. She told me the St. Vincent de Paul Society purchases the food from the local food pantry with monetary contributions. I asked if they ever don't have enough and she said, "Never. Somehow there is always enough."

I then asked her about the volunteers. Josh and I were two out of about 15 people either pulling stock off the shelves or filling the bags. I asked how they schedule the volunteers, always making sure there are enough, and she said they never schedule them -- not one. I asked if they ever don't have enough, and she said, "Never. Somehow there are always enough."

And so I wondered, how can anyone, even those with very little, or no faith, not see the hand of God at work?

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'...your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

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On your knees

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This week I was fortunate to make it to our parish's monthly Eucharistic Adoration -- my Happy Hour. My fellow Catholics of our parish are normally very reverent, but this week I was surprised to not only witness people enter into the church, casually go into a pew and sit, but I also had to focus on my prayers through loud conversation. I was very surprised, and saddened. I always feel I have to apologize to My Lord for my fellow man -- "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."

Instead of just complaining, however, I decided to take this opportunity to instruct the ignorant.

I found this little bit at The Real Presence, Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association:

"Eucharistic Adoration is a very privileged (special) time of prayer. This time of prayer takes place in a Catholic church or chapel. An ordained priest places the Most Blessed Sacrament within a sacred vessel known as a monstrance. The monstrance containing the Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is then place on the altar in exposition for the faithful people of God to adore Jesus. Faithful Catholics leaving and entering a church or chapel during times of Eucharistic Adoration make a double genuflection. This is done facing the monstrance, bending both knees to the point of touching the floor, bowing our head and then raising our body to an upright standing posture."

It goes without saying that while others are in prayer, we should not talk, and make as little sound as possible while praying the rosary, reading a book, and coming in and leaving.

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It's not even April Fools' Day

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Still, I woke up to this today.





With only one little daffodil still showing color -- all the rest are buried.



Boo, hoo.



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I think I'm going to be sick...

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Our local paper published an article yesterday about the pens our president used to sign into law a health care bill which has no hope of providing real health care. In line to receive one of the pens used to sign the bill was, not only Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Kathleen Sebelius, and Vicki Kennedy, Catholic wife of Ted Kennedy, but also Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association (an organization which speaks for neither the Catholic Church or health professionals).

Like so many things in this world, the hardest thing about being Catholic is my fellow man.


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Embracing the Cross

Divine Intimacy--

Jesus calls our sufferings a cross because the word cross signifies instrument of salvation; and He does not want our sorrows to be sterile, but to become a cross, that is, a means of elevating and sanctifying our souls. In fact, a suffering is transformed, changed into a cross as soon as we accept it from the hands of the Saviour, and cling to His will which transforms it to our spiritual advantage. If this is true for great sufferings, it is equally true for the small ones; all are part of the divine plan, all, even the tiniest, have been predisposed by God from all eternity for our sanctification. Therefore, let us accept them with calmness, and not allow ourselves to be submerged by things which are unpleasant; let us leave them where they belong, in the place they really occupy in the divine plan, that is, among the instruments by means of which we can attain our ideal of sanctity and union with God. If these annoyances are an evil because they make us suffer, they are also a good, because they give us an opportunity of practicing virtue; they purify us and bring us near to the Lord. However, to understand the value of the cross is not equivalent to bearing it; we need fortitude as well. If we let ourselves be guided by Jesus, He will certainly give it to us and will support us in our daily struggles and sufferings, leading us by the path He Himself has chosen, and to the degree of sanctity that He has determined for each one of us. We must have an immense confidence, advance with our eyes closed, and forget ourselves completely. We must accept the cross which Our Lord offers us and carry it with love. If, with the help of grace, we succeed in sanctifying all our daily sufferings, great and small, without losing our serenity and confidence, we shall become saints. Many souls are discouraged at the thought of suffering, and try in every way to avoid it because they do not have enough confidence in the Lord, and are not fully convinced that all is planned by Him, down to the last detail, for their real good. Every suffering, whatever its dimensions, always conceals a redemptive, a sanctifying grace; and this grace becomes ours from the moment we accept the suffering in a spirit of faith, for love of God.

"All this is very little, O my God, to gain You, who contain every good. No trial should seem hard nor should I turn back because of the difficulties I might find; I wish to accept bitterness and all kinds of crosses with readiness." -- St Teresa Margaret

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The Kindness of a Stranger

Last week I complained that I was having mixed feelings about blogging. I said blogging was leaving me feeling empty, it was unfulfilled time spent during my day, and I was truly thinking I should just stop.

I love my blogging friends like real friends. Most I have not met in person, but some I email with regularly and even speak to on the phone. They are as real as friends in my own community. But, like all mommies (that we mostly are) my blogging friends are busy and can't always stop to chat. That's just real life. Which often leaves me feeling, much like I often do talking to my own children -- like I'm talking to a brick wall. No response. It's gets tiresome. You know, I know you do.

But just as when I talk to my children and they don't respond, they do hear, and so do people, sometimes friends, sometimes strangers, read my words. And as unfulfilled as I feel, I do know they are listening, both my children and my readers.

But, in my selfishness, I was thinking about what I get out of it. "What are you doing for me?" I asked.

It took the kindness of a stranger for me to see that this, like everything else in my life, is not about me; it never has been.

One very sweet, total stranger (Hi, Gary!) sent me a very kind comment on my food blog. Looking for a recipe for a Chicken Pot Pie, Gary found me through Google and in his comment he said, "I just wanted to thank you for sharing your personal recipes, and more importantly your faith with others. I was born to a Jewish family, but I became a Christian about 12 years ago."

"You are touching people with your faith that you will never meet. I think that is doing God's work. I wish you many blessings, and thank you, once again, for your efforts and creativity."

Thank you, Gary, for reminding me that my life is not mine, but my Lord's. My time is not mine, but His, and should be spent, every moment, fulfilling His will, not mine.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. 1 John 2: 15-18


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New Worries

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On the way to Mass yesterday, my husband and I were talking about the impending vote on the health care bill. We both agreed we never thought we'd actually see the day -- and not in a good way -- not like something you look forward to with anticipation, but instead we were filled with dread.

My husband works for a Catholic hospital system. In fact, he heads the foundation of all the Catholic hospitals in our Midwest capital city. His whole job changed yesterday with the passage of the bill, if he continues to have one, that is.

Since he began working for a hospital, a Catholic one especially, he has been pleased with the fact that through his hard work, the less fortunate receive medical care. The money he raises and distributes is used to help those without insurance, or lesser insurance, to receive the same medical care afforded to those who are insured. Last year, for example, his foundation raised the money to buy a beautiful new mobile medical bus -- one that travels all over the region delivering doctors, nurses, and medical care right to the neighborhoods of the neediest in our community. This year they are raising money for a mobile mammography bus that does the same thing. His donors have generously thought about those who have less and provided -- what Our Lord has asked us to do.

But, with the passage of the health care bill, the neediest in our communities will have to purchase their own health insurance (although, still, no one has told me how they will get blood from a rock). If we all have insurance, if we are all truly equal in that regard, then there is no need for Catholic hospital foundations as they function now, right? The Catholic hospital mission has always been to serve every person in need of care, irregardless of ability to pay. I suppose they are all just thrilled that everyone will be able to pay all by themselves now. Pardon my cynicism, but I can't believe anyone thinks this is somehow all going to just happen -- did Nancy Pelosi wiggle her nose last night?

The passage of the bill, against the will of the majority of Americans, besides (supposedly) making certain that all citizens will see doctors whenever they need to, has begun to removed the impetus for generosity in our society. You see, Americans are very generous people. And contrary to the government belief, they do take care of each other. But, when the government takes over doling out what we need, there is no necessity for us to be concerned for each other any more.

So, in my opinion, yesterday was a dark, dark day in America. Not only did our government provide for the extermination of the weakest, most helpless members of society, the unborn, as well as ruin the greatest health care system in the world. They also took away our humanity.

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It's Almost Friday Daybook

Outside my window...it's dusk, and almost spring (whoopee!). I still feel cold, however. I guess I need to find a spot in the sun to just sit. The kids are wearing shorts and flip flops every day, and if I say "no," they whine. I guess it's their legs getting cold, not mine.

I am thinking...about my blogging break. Besides being sick, and then having an episode of vertigo, I did a lot of thinking. Not about life or Lent or anything really valuable, but mostly about the blog and what I'm getting from it. Though I love blogging, and I love the people I have met on the internet, most of the time blogging leaves me feeling very empty. I like to read about other people's lives, and comment on their blogs, but it all feels very one-way, and thus very lonely. I either need to stop, or find a way to help make it productive, or maybe the word is fulfilling. Right now I feel a call to fill myself with something other than blogging, and communing on the internet. Maybe the two "lives" can somehow come together, but I haven't figured out how to make that happen. I suppose I'm kind of an all or nothing person. It will happen if it's meant to, I suppose. I just know that I don't want to continue the way that I am.

I am thankful for...feeling better. I still have a little bit of movement with the vertigo, but I can function, and today I didn't need medication (which makes me sooo sleepy).

From the learning rooms...we started using All Ye Lands for seventh grade geography/history. Noah seems to enjoy it, and it's a good segue into the history he'll get in Latin as a freshman in high school, and world history later in senior year. With Faith I am heavily working on First Confession and First Holy Communion prep. It's hard to keep that girl at the school table for long when the weather is nice out, so I have to strike while the iron is hot. I have to continually remind myself that she will have many years to learn nouns, verbs, handwriting, and spelling words, and second grade is really very young.

From the kitchen...tonight was a yummy Asparagus and Chicken a la King over Brown Rice and Greek Salad. I'll post the recipe for the chicken on my food blog -- it was low fat and very tasty (very springy, too).

I am wearing...brown pants and a brown and white turtleneck. I'm not yet ready to expose my neck -- still not warm enough.

I am creating...a baby quilt, a First Holy Communion rosary, and a rosary for an RCIA candidate. I need to get to the fabric store to acquire the fabric for Faith's First Holy Communion dress and veil. I'm very anxious to start, but need to finish up these projects.

I am reading...Teacher Man. I've lost interest in this book. McCourt has the tendency to repeat himself, and, frankly (no pun intended), the third time is pretty boring (Angela's Ashes and 'Tis were the first two). I feel the need to move on to something a little more meaningful.
I am hoping...for an uneventful weekend. One can only dream....

I am hearing...Doug talking cars on the phone with his dad. Faith is in the basement singing -- I can just barely hear her.

Around the house...lots of laundry and ironing. We have a mix of winter and spring clothes around. I ordered some new spring tops and crops for Faith and it's always fun to wash new clothes (especially girl clothes).

One of my favorite things...projects -- and I have many, many to keep me busy (just not enough hours).

A few plans for the rest of the week...the week is almost over. College boy is coming home tomorrow to do laundry and gather some work clothes. He'll be employed next quarter at the Panera on campus and he needs the shirts and pants that he wore when he worked there over the summer.

A lingering thought...

“It is not only among us, who are marked with the name of Christ, that the dignity of faith is great; all the business of the world, even of those outside the Church, is accomplished by faith. By faith, marriage laws join in union persons who were strangers to one another. By faith, agriculture is sustained; for a man does not endure the toil involved unless he believes he will reap a harvest. By faith, seafaring men, entrusting themselves to a tiny wooden craft, exchange the solid element of the land for the unstable motion of the waves. Not only among us does this hold true but also, as I have said, among those outside the fold. For though they do not accept the Scriptures but advance certain doctrines of their own, yet even these they receive on faith” -- St. Cyril

Monday Madness

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Today I have to hit the ground running, but I'm stopping for just a second to draw the names of the winners of the rosary giveaway. And they are:

Theresa

Angela

Kelly

And to answer a few questions:

The knotted rosaries are quicker to make than beaded, but I wouldn't say easier. Neither are difficult with practice.

Yes, I can make more, but I used every inch of blue twine and have to wait until the twine company is up and running again to get more. Send me an email if you are interested in them and I'll let you know when I get the twine.

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The Cause of Our Joy

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"In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us." Ephesians 1: 7-8




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Words of Wisdom

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Henri de Lubac, S.J., wrote: "The best Christians and the most vital are by no means to be found either inevitably or even generally among the wise or the clever, the intelligentsia or the politically-minded, or those of social consequence. And consequently what they say does not make the headlines; what they do does not come to the public eye. Their lives are hidden from the eyes of the world, and if they do come to some degree of notoriety, that is usually late in the day, and exceptional, and always attended by the risk of distortion" (The Splendor of the Church, p. 187).

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We can't come to the phone right now, but leave your name and number...

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Just a quick "hello"... I'm still sick, and lost my voice a few days ago, but I finished the rosaries for the church -- 45 in all -- and I have exactly three left. One each for three lucky friends...



...so, leave your name and email address in the comment box, or email me, by Saturday, noon, and I'll put your name in a drawing for the last three.



Talk to you soon...

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Nursing...

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...my own sore throat, kids' colds, and my husband, who is now being treated for pneumonia.

Now seems as good a time as any to take a break from the outside world since tomorrow we'll unplug the computer to transfer data to a new hard drive. Hopefully I'll see you, back in good health, by St. Paddy's Day.

Love ya.

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Sick Stinks

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Peach and I woke up this morning with sore throats. I'm thinking we brought them home from Disney on Ice. I'm glad my mom and I agreed that would be the last "on ice" event. I must have been crazy to attend an event like that smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. I'll be grateful if all we have are sore throats. Peach is on the sofa under blankets watching The Incredibles. I think I'll go get into a nightgown and join her.

Pictures during school today. As you can imagine, we didn't accomplish a lot.





By the way (divulging big secrets here), her name is Faith. I call her Peach, Kitty, Sugar, Butter Bean, Pumpkin, Lovey, and a number of other nicks, but her name is Faith. Faith Frances. Now it's out there.

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Eveningbook

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Outside my window...it's dark -- evening -- and cold. Today was a gray, gray, gray Ohio day and tonight it's bone-chilling cold. I think it's supposed to get warmer later in the week. Pleeease?

I am thinking...about the last corporal work of mercy: bury the dead. Today we traveled long distance to bid goodbye to Uncle Tom Basti. How easy it would have been to stay home, but we are called by Our Lord to bury the dead. Not just in the pragmatic manner of physical burial, but in the deeper, more meaningful sense of sending our loved ones on to their eternal life.

I am thankful for...an evening with nothing to do except relax.

From the learning rooms...we're switching some gears this quarter and I think it's a needed kick in the pants. In seventh grade we'll be starting All Ye Lands, a good continuation of the world geography we've been doing. I'm looking to switch some seventh grade science, as well -- still making decisions.

From the kitchen...looking toward tomorrow -- a dinner of Ham and Veggie pasta and homemade bread.

I am wearing...navy knit pants and a turtleneck. It feels good to be out of pantyhose and heels.

I am creating...twine rosaries. I'm up to 33 rosaries -- got quite a few made in the car today.

I am reading...Teacher Man. (Barb, no need to read 'Tis first.)

I am hoping...for spring. Too much to ask?

I am hearing...the kids playing Mario Galaxy. I'm about to send them packing so I can have some quiet.

Around the house...laundry, ironing, sweeping up dog hair -- same old, same old.

One of my favorite things...a new month. Happy March!

A few plans for the rest of the week...plans to get to a fabric store to buy fabric for a First Holy Communion dress; making plans for a Confirmation celebration in two weeks; friends over for dinner this weekend.

A lingering thought...in memory of Uncle Tom, who was a truly good man.

When death comes, and we stand before God, no king can command Him, no authority can restrain Him, no riches can hire Him to wait past his appointed time even one moment of an hour. Therefore let us speak what we are bound to speak and do the deeds we are called to do. No empty time is allowed to any of us. -- Saint Thomas More


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