tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38245916737635693692024-03-04T20:09:19.211-08:00Dwell in Glory11 adopted kids, lots of pets, two tired parents, organizing it all while cooking green and discussing the Sunday Mass...drop in!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-24422503931850588762016-10-03T09:13:00.000-07:002016-10-03T09:13:02.081-07:00Jumping back in here...After and incredibly long break, I have decided to just jump right back in here...I miss my blog...<br />
I had decided that my life had enough complications and I just did not have the time to commit to a blog. Recently after an old post made its way to FB feed, I read it and realized that I no longer scrapbook, devote any time other than shooting off random photos with a little blurb on it to my fb feed, nothing toward documenting the minutia of my life...and that seems to me to be a shame. Even if no one reads my blog other than me in another 5 years time, it will still be time well spent. That random post that reminded me of a football Saturday several years ago and captured a snap shot in time that no longer even resembles my life today. Different state, different mindset...and still some very same priorities. I think it may be important to take stock at times; to do a reset if necessary or a pat on the back and a "good job, good and faithful servant" if it is warranted...so without further ado:<br />
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This weekend my Kiki had her first chance at being an altar server...despite practices with daddy at breakfast and dutifully studying the mass with her siblings, Kiki was still nervous. I assured that with it being her first time at bat they would not require her to do anything too difficult. All she needed to do was love God, look pretty and try not to burn down the altar...She had that covered...but then real life always throw curves our way...</div>
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As she staggered under the weight of the cross, as she held the bible open for the priest, as she held the wine that was to become the blood of our savior, she glared daggers at me. Oh, baby girl, I wish I could carry all of your crosses for you, but you did great. And you looked beautiful doing it...</div>
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She survived and was able to carry on and go out and hold signs at our parish for the babies...I only had to promise the reward of a treat afterwards!! We did this in TX several years ago. The girls were very sad when they saw all the crosses our parish prolife committee put out to represent surgical abortions that have been performed in the years since Roe v. Wade. We did a special count to figure out how many crosses were added since the last time we prayed and protested. We recommitted ourselves to prayer for the unborn..</div>
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ADOPTION IS A BEAUTIFUL CHOICE...</div>
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The girls ended the day by helping their old mommy learn to take a selfie...and we tried to do our duty. Even when it was hard. We carried the cross, we did the difficult and uncomfortable things. Jesus commanded "feed my sheep; love your neighbor." We did as He commanded. We stood in the tiny drizzled of the fall day for the millions who will never stand. And doing these little tiny things, as small as mustard seeds, may our faith grow larger every day. amen...</div>
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<span><span class="text">The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" </span><span class="text">And the Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. </span><span class="text">"Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'? </span><span class="text">Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? </span><span class="text">Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? </span><span class="text">So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-446073375555514772013-02-11T10:17:00.000-08:002013-02-11T10:17:20.055-08:00A really big day in Rome (and an unexpected book review)It almost feels redundant to call it an historic event during a week when we touted yet another "historic" weather event and storm. Just don't know what else to call a move by the Pope that has not happened in more than six centuries...so a really big day in Rome it is. For me, it came upon waking up after I spent the night reading late...a novel with some real life issues. Sons of Cain by Val Bianco. The book, if you have not read it is an exciting novel about real life secret service type catholics who are charged with protecting the Catholic Church from an attack, both internal and external. I love that it is an exciting Randy Alcorn-type novel that allows us a peek at the supernatural fight that is going on around us, along with the real physical battle. Yes, the good guys win. There are casualties, though, it is nice to see that God will win in the end, and in fact, He already has. But also, He will win some of the skirmishes...sometimes directly helping. We don't always have that awareness. <br />
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So I know it is a novel, but some of the issues that were brought up could be pulled right off the new pages. An idealistic American president with an agenda...wanting to go down in the history books for passing legislation for the American Health Care System; all this despite common knowledge that the tax base cannot sustain the cost of universal health care. The president and administration pushing an agenda that will have to incorporate increased use of and acceptance of state/doctor assisted suicide...at the end of life and whenever else it would be convenient. We can only afford universal health care if we don't waste too much of it on old people and chronic illness for undeserving individuals. And really, who is deserving. All touted as a Good; thinking people will want to take charge of their own end and will want to protect their wealth for their children. The book also explores how life-time politicians--politicians who make a business of well, politics, and hand it down to their children, raised in the life style and with the same leanings and mindset--keep the country mired in the same direction. It also examines a system of government where the people who toil in it can legislate lucrative job opportunities and then fill the positions (the book examines Senators with medical experience working themselves into high paying jobs in its administration--much like in real life, the officials who develop vaccines and then take government jobs to mandate them for all children thus increasing their wealth, regardless of consequences.) It explores, briefly, the tendency of the country to accept a new value and then once it becomes mainstream, open the door to similar horrors that don't seem so horrific anymore. Having lived through 40 years of Roe v. Wade, it is easy to see how this can happen, and the book refers to Abortion style of acceptance opening the door to the euthanasia. There is a model, and why not use it for everything. Finally, it is nice to see, albeit in a novel, the clear influence of Evil in what can be seen as current issues. Yes people, there is Evil and there is an orchestrator of it. Evil, personified in the Devil. He lives and He has an agenda. He may even use a president, or other influential people to forward his agenda...<br />
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So with this fictional book forefront in my mind, it was with fear that I woke up to the news that our beloved Pope Benedict was resigning for health reasons. Raised with enough knowledge of Fatima and its predictions, any new Pope is looked at with anxious eyes. With an Historic resignation, I read with much anxiety, not so much about what will we address a retired pope as...Cardinal Ratzinger? Is it legal for him to do this? From who does he get permission and who has to accept his letter of resignation? as I did the blog posts and articles about why he decided to resign. His health. His inability, in his assessment, to handle the rigors of the job during this time and with the, sigh, historic decisions he must make. I accept that, and with millions of other catholics, I will be praying that the Lord has raised up a strong, young man of God to carry on the office of Peter. Who will keep us Catholic. Who will promote love and dignity in our lives and interactions in a world that seems to want to equate "right" with whatever feels "right" right now...that looks at a long time not as 40 years but as 2000. I want a Pope who can determine the will of God and have the strength to keep us on His path and not just swing us more to the middle, as the Times would have us go. And I would offer one last prayer...a prayer that was typed out in Bianco's book at least twice, <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Michael fine art print can be found at <a href="http://www.aquinasandmore.com/">www.aquinasandmore.com</a> catholic goods</td></tr>
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"St. Michael the Archangel, Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan, and all other evil spirits who prowl about the earth seeking the ruin of souls...amen"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-6255276759359928102012-12-28T09:25:00.000-08:002012-12-28T11:15:01.962-08:00It's Just You and Me, Lord (a book review with a giveaway...)<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I am having some difficulties here. Perennially sunny in spirit and mood, I have begun having very dark days. Since banning conventional medicine even for my chronic Multiple Sclerosis, I hesitated to contact a doctor and have been treating naturally, based on my homemade diagnosis...perimenopause. I suppose I will eventually see a doc, but my fermented cod liver oil and other health store supplements seem to be helping. Still, it was a tough month or so while everything kicked in. My daughter had begun laughing every time I started to cry, to the point that I was increasingly embarrassed and that would make me cry again...sigh. And as much as I would just love to blame it on my "old lady" hormones, there has been an awful lot to cry about lately...one senseless shooting after another, fiscal cliff and $7 a gallon milk prices...the price of gas. It is enough to put me over the edge any way you look at it. Then there was my long overdue reconciling with my health diagnosis. Last summer I embarked on my new career, teaching. I love teaching and learning how to do it...I was energized. I had begun to feel unappreciated at home, despite our adoptions, and was looking, like many women, outside the home for more appreciation. Only halfway through my program, I began substituting in our school district. It was then that reality sunk in...I really don't have the ability to teach. Oh, I might have the knowledge and even the desire, but I don't have the stamina. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yes, I know that it was a big order to think that while raising a family with 11 children, I would still find the time and energy to work outside the home. Even if I didn't have MS, it would be difficult. However, the reality that my professional life was dead coupled with some dissatisfaction with parenting 11 children most of whom are somewhere on the spectrum, made the depression that much more intense and overwhelming. Is this really all there is, Lord? </span><br />
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'Its Just You and Me, Lord' Blog hop</h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In the middle of all of that, I received an invitation to read this book , <a href="http://www.marionstroud.com/List-of-Books.html">Its Just You & Me, Lord</a> and review it for the official blog hop. No disrespect to the author, <a href="http://www.marionstroud.com/">Marion Stroud</a>, but I wouldn't have gone looking for it. I was beyond looking for solutions and was firmly entrenched in despair; quite comfortably settled there, in fact. But since it came looking for me, I eagerly dove in hoping to at least be distracted. Thank-you, Ms. Stroud...what a treasure you have written. The book contains many prayers and reflections that women with various life circumstances would find interesting. I devoured it in two days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">According to the publisher,"It’s Just You and Me, Lord' offers heartfelt prayers to inspire and encourage women no matter where they are in life’s journey. Addressing common issues and providing practical prayers, Scripture, and quotes, author Marion Stroud encourages women to express honest and heartfelt communication with God." The book did all that for me, and more. Because it breaks down the issues women face at different stages of life, I was able to read the whole book in one fell swoop, and still have the ability to easily find prayers and inspiration for whatever age or stage is currently troubling me at that time. With children ranging in age from 6 to 19 and life issues that cover everything from early parenting years to caring for aging parents to downsizing in the workplace and in our homes, it is a treasure that touches on many difficult but real issues women face everyday; issues I face every day. It also brings home the answer for all of it...it really is just you and me, Lord. And that really is enough. Thank-you, Ms. Stroud for writing such a timely and inspiring book. If you would like a chance to win a copy of 'It's Just You and Me, Lord,' the publishers have supplied a copy for me to raffle off...Just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win. You may also earn a chance for following my blog and one for liking my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dwell-in-Glory/169242839856882">Dwell in Glory facebook page</a>...just follow the link here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dwell-in-Glory/169242839856882">Dwell in Glory facebook page</a>. I will leave the raffle open through the New Year, in case the holidays keep people from participating, and will close this give away on January 6th, 2013! Good luck! I have been provided free of charge, a copy of "It's Just You and Me, Lord" free of charge, however the opinions of this book are my own. </span></div>
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Approved Publishers Excerpt from the book, Its Just You and Me, Lord...</h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Contents<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman Within<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Summer Suns Are Glowing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Will the Real Me Please Stand?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Different Kind of Fast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What’s in a Name?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hide-and-Seek<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Free Indeed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How Big Is Your God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wholehearted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All Change . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dreams and Visions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just an Ordinary Day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pierced Ears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cultivating My Inner Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman and Marriage<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Becoming One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Gift of Words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Walled Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Other Woman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I Thought He Was THE One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One Day My Prince Will Come—Won’t He?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Loving through the Dark Days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents2" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt 27pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman and Her Children<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Child’s Eye View<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Night Watch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the Outside<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Steps of Faith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Blended Families<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Gift of Laughter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Screens<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Trouble Tree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lean on Me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lost and Found<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Different Kind of Prodigal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Someone Special<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not What I’d Have Chosen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents2" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt 27pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman and Her Friends<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Friends Near and Far<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You Never Bothered to Tell Me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For Your Ears Only<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fine Feathers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grey Days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Speaking of the Unspeakable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If You Want to Walk on Water . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Will Someone Please Carry Me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love in Action<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents2" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt 27pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman at Work<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monday Morning Musings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It Wasn’t on the List<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Reaching My Limit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Teachers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Housework<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Butterflies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Enemy Within<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why, Lord, Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents2" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt 27pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman and Her Family of Faith<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What a Privilege<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Belonging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mystery Worshipper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As It Was in the Beginning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Boundaries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Christmas Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just Another Man?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents2" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt 27pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman and the Wider World<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Enemy Within<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have You Given Some Thought to Your Food?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Man Down!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Suitcase<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Looking on the Outside<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Return<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Something Beautiful for God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s Not Our Business<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sunlight and Shadows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents2" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0pt 27pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Woman Growing Older<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Roots and Wings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Crowning Years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Past Is a Foreign Country<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prayers in the Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Seize the Day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Downsizing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Life Complete<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="chtitle" style="margin: 24pt 0in 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Will the Real Me Please Stand?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Epigraph" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;">
<em>I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to
understand the reason for things.<o:p></o:p></em></div>
<br />
<div class="Epigraphsource" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 24pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">Ecclesiastes 7:25 NLT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Epigraph" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;">
<em>She wants to live for once. But doesn’t know quite what that
means. Wonders if she’s ever done it. If she ever will.<o:p></o:p></em></div>
<br />
<div class="Epigraphsource" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 24pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">Alice Walker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Epigraph" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;">
<em>“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the
full.”<o:p></o:p></em></div>
<br />
<div class="Epigraphsource" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 24pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">John 10:10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="textbreak" style="margin: 24pt 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">#<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">“I’m sorry, I don’t know
your name,” she said.<br />
“I always think of you as David’s mother.”<br />
“Are you the dentist’s wife?” the nurse inquired,<br />
advancing on me,<br />
ready to take a sample of my blood.<br />
“I think he’s wonderful!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">“I was expecting a real
‘earth-mother’ type<br />
when I was told you had so many children,”<br />
she murmured cheerfully,<br />
waiting for a chance to introduce me<br />
to the noisy group<br />
of coffee-drinking women,<br />
“but actually, you look quite elegant!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">Dear Lord, these people
know me <br />
only through my association<br />
with someone else.<br />
And really, I can’t blame them.<br />
For there are days when I stop and wonder<br />
who this woman really is,<br />
whom I see daily in the mirror.<br />
I am amazed at times<br />
to think that she is me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">I’m usually too busy,
Lord,<br />
to think about<br />
these challenging life questions.<br />
But today,<br />
when I have been reminded<br />
that you intend your children<br />
to have life in all its fullness,<br />
I really need to ask you what you meant,<br />
when you voiced such an all-encompassing remark<br />
to your disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">I have to say,<br />
if you were meaning “lots to do,”<br />
then I’ve received your gift already.<br />
My days are packed<br />
and stretch into the night,<br />
while I whirl around<br />
cooking, cleaning, checking details,<br />
and doing all the rest that must be done<br />
to keep a family headed<br />
in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">And yet somehow I can’t
believe<br />
that this is all my life is meant to be about.<br />
If you have made me<br />
unique and special,<br />
as your Word tells me that you have,<br />
numbering my days,<br />
counting every hair and catching every tear,<br />
blessing me with gifts,<br />
and giving me a purpose to fulfill<br />
in your economy,<br />
then surely there is more to life<br />
than what I do for other people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="Prayers" style="margin: 0in 0in 30pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;">Please help me, Lord.<br />
Enable me to find that sacred space<br />
where I can meet with you.<br />
Then you can gently take apart<br />
the many layered Russian doll<br />
that often seems to represent my life,<br />
and show me who the “real me” is,<br />
so that I can embrace<br />
all that I am, and all you have for me<br />
with joy and thankfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="pullquote" style="margin: 0.25in 1in 12pt;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #548dd4;">At any moment an unsatisfying life may become once more a
grand adventure, if we will surrender it to God. The adventure of faith is
exciting, difficult and exacting, but full of new discoveries, fresh turns and
sudden surprises.<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="pullquotesource" style="margin: 0.25in 1in 12pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #548dd4;">Paul Tournier<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="contents1" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-12653752574687795052012-11-05T12:16:00.000-08:002012-11-05T12:16:29.772-08:00Didn't We Do This Last Year?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">About a million, childless years ago, Shawn and I spent the Christmas holidays with my brother in CA. Alix had a CD he played that had parodies of Christmas songs...One that stuck in my head that week, and obviously, a million years later, was a spoof of "Do You Hear What I Hear?"--"Didn't I Get This Last Year"...It pops into my head at the strangest time, though usually more with, "Didn't we do this last year..." Almost everything we do is familiar, because we do it over and over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The popular media hyped a storm, correctly it would appear, as being a massive, never before seen "perfect storm." The storm lived up to the hype, and my family in the Northeast can attest, it ain't been easy. My heart bleeds for them. A week without power, the house blowing around them, gasoline scarce, food running out, and its getting colder...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">News stories began to appear like <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/fuel-scarce-east-coast-struggles-recover-storm-000645293.html">this</a>; very depressing. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yes, it was a once in a generation storm. Another article this week said severe storms may be the new norm? Now, I may be old, but I can remember right off hand several disasters that have taken our country down in just the past few years. FEMA is working overtime. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I remember scenes like this during Katrina. Hurricane season in TX every year since I have moved here including 2 years ago when Houston went for a week I think without power. All so sad, all so depressing...all so avoidable? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">With our country a trillion dollars in debt, I am not so sure that I am happy that my tax dollars will go towards rebuilding in areas of the country that repeatedly get clobbered in once in a generation storms every few years--didn't we do that last year? I am inspired to see fellow Americans pull together and help victims of this storm...people they don't know. I fear for the people who have to rebuild and am thankful that I am not one. But I really question whether this is enough for us to go further into debt as a country. Is FEMA the only answer, or even a good answer? What did we used to do before we let the government jump in to protect us every time the wind blows? Isn't the onus on us to build smarter and better...safer. And to prepare more, including building up our savings to cushion us in times like this? </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-6438200805028945642012-10-12T12:04:00.001-07:002012-10-12T12:14:16.325-07:00The Party Line...<br />
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Nothing Personal, but my party believes...</h3>
"Yes, I believe in equality for all races, but my husband's best friend was stabbed by a black man and he died when he received an HIV tainted blood transfusion, so you can see how my husband hates all black men..."<br />
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No, I really can't. I relate that conversation that took place years ago just to illustrate a point. Yes, that man can hate the black man who stabbed his friend and eventually led to his death, but I think that you would have to really, really stretch to make the leap that that could reasonably cause you to hate all blacks. But we sometimes stretch to make that leap or ones similar to it. <br />
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Likewise, we can stretch to believe that birth control, or abortion, or gay rights, or cheap student loans are the most important issue of the 2012 election. Or we might think that the election isn't important at all. But it is. I have, without apology, voted single issue for every year I have voted. I voted for the babies. I won't argue that, because frankly, my mind cannot be changed, and I suppose yours cannot either. I pray that hearts will change and let Jesus do the work. But for the first time I have considered that maybe, my single issue, would have to be expanded...None of it really matters if we don't have our constitutional protections firmly in place and the continued ability to make that choice. In light of that, I have tried to look at other issues. That too, is exhausting, because it seems that everyone has a pet issue. In an attempt to find harmony, I have tried to look at some points of agreement. Neither party has all the answers. Partisan politics may have out-lived its usefulness...but it's what we are stuck with for right now. However, there are a few things that we should all agree with: preserving our rights and supporting our boys in the military. <br />
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Not only do millions of our children don a uniform each year and vow to defend each and every American, they do so often at great sacrifice and often without a firm understanding of why they are fighting. I like to think they are fighting for all of us to have our opinion and the ability to cling to it, even if, for example, that opinion is to hate all blacks because of a very narrow excuse...special interest excuse, if you will. Everyone has a moment, or a person, or situation that is dear to their heart because of his or her own situation. But that doesn't make it the most important thing. I got a request to sign a petition regarding an 18 year old boy scout who was denied his final project badge or pin because he was gay. Was he surprised by that? Is it in the rules? If that is the Boy Scout rules, he should have quit before it was a problem for him...somewhat shortsighted. Would I be upset if it was my son? Yeah, but I would have tried to find out the rules before having my son invest years of his life into it. If it was still important to him, he could live without the pin. If it wasn't, no loss. I like to think I would have more important things to think about than whether or not he could get his pin, for example, life expectancy of gay men. I would hate the lifestyle my son chose to embrace and the pain his decisions would likely lead to. I would never hate my son, gays in general, the Boy Scouts, or even the people who choose to believe that this is one of the most important issues of our time. But it is a narrow issue. As long as we have the choice to agree, disagree, sign a change.org petition or not....well, that's what matters. <br />
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So 2012 is an election year. Most people are already tired of it. Wish people would start posting jokes again instead of mini campaign posters. Who cares about which party wins...they are all funded by BigPharma and Agribusiness anyway, so either candidates are going to have the same results...Apathy is the danger. Just vote and care, because it is the American way. If we don't believe in the process, the choice can and will be taken from us. Teach your children the right to vote is just as important as a Boy Scout pin. And if all playing fields are level, I say vote for the one who supports our constitutional rights and didn't go on campaigning while our embassies, flags, and citizens burned in Libya....<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-40189091158820973032012-09-21T12:20:00.000-07:002012-09-21T12:42:47.185-07:00Following Without Hesitation<h2>
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<tr><td colspan="2" width="396">from Today's Mass Reading from EWTN Matthew 9:9-13<br />
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<tr><td align="right" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">9</span></td><td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10</span></td><td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">11</span></td><td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">12</span></td><td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.</span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">13</span></td><td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">It should have been a tough call. From the looks of it, Matthew had a pretty good life going on. Jesus said, "Matthew, come follow me!" Matthew didn't ask questions, he just followed. I imagine his friends, fellow tax collectors, frowned on his new relationship. Certainly, Jesus' observers took exception to his new friend.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While it is uncertain, tradition suggests he was martyred for Christ so it was not a choice without any eventual and immediate consequences.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Had he continued on his initial path, Matthew would have enjoyed a much more profitable and pain-free life--by the world's standards. We certainly have been blessed by Matthew's ability to recognize what God wanted him to do and to do so without hesitation. I am sure Matthew concurs that it was the right choice.</span><br />
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To always be so certain when the road is difficult; Saying Goodbye to Bishop Vann</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On my way to Mass this morning, I heard about our local Bishop, Bishop Vann, and his immediate transfer to lead the people of the Diocese of Orange County in California. It is with a heavy heart I see him go. He is a personal favorite in our family. A pastoral Bishop, my baby girls learned how to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3824591673763569369#editor/target=post;postID=7587269262923308630">properly communicate with a bishop</a> by watching him walk the halls of our church. OK, maybe not properly, I may never be able to see Bishop Vann without thinking of my baby practicing, over and over again, "Good afternoon, My Tushie." Also, a strong advocate of all life, we will miss his undying work on behalf of the unborn.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">However, I can see how the Holy Father found him a good choice. He communicates fluently in Spanish--sometimes switching back and forth between the two languages in the same mass...even the same paragraph! Like Ft. Worth, Orange County has a huge Hispanic population. Our church, if not our country, needs to acknowledge the impact that the largely Catholic Hispanic population brings to our country. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">While I am sad to see Bishop Vann go, I am sure Bishop Vann is not completely happy with the decision either, leaving the comfort of the familiar and comfortable is never easy, I am happy he continues to follow the will of God and the Holy father without hesitation. I am encouraged by it. I have struggled with our relocation to Texas from the familiarity of Pennsylvania. I struggle with the loss of the community we grew up with and began raising our children in. I question whether people are meant to move about the country toward opportunity or for the will of God, or if it is right to stay with family for the sake of family. In times of uncertainty, I always cling to home. I face fear, which is obviously not of the Lord, and hesitate in setting down roots. I understand that we are to live in the moment, but its hard to embrace my life if I am not sure this is where we belong. Is the only thing that ties us to TX Shawn's job and is that enough? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. You can reply here, or right at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dwell-in-Glory/169242839856882?ref=hl">Dwell in Glory Facebook page</a>...Please "Like" us while you are there!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So, on this feast of St. Matthew, I pray for our beloved Bishop Vann, who goes with the prayers of all the faithful in the Diocese of Ft. Worth. God Bless you...</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-48912610567657328092012-09-14T19:59:00.000-07:002012-09-14T19:59:06.494-07:00Off With Her Head...<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Lessons learned from John the baptist...</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John the Baptist was kind of a laughing stock. As the songs go, he walked around in rags, ate bugs, and yelled to whoever would listen, and even some who wouldn't listen, the moral truths of the time they were living in. It made him wildly unpopular...so much so that the queen had her daughter ask the king for his head on a platter. A sad demise for a man who only loved God and tried to get the people to listen to the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A <a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/youve-lost-the-battle-gay-activist-catholic-teacher-taunts-parental-rights">gay activist</a> in Toronto taunts parent's at a Catholic school telling them if they opt their children out of sexual rights "education" they are attacking "Inclusivity" and contributing to a hateful environment. In Libya, our soldiers and our diplomats are being killed. In fact the Middle East is <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/anti-film-protests-spread-across-muslim-world-164455189.html">in turmoil</a>. Is there a connection? I am afraid to blog. I have lost my words. I am so tired of fighting my friends, family...my kids for being so different from everyone they know.</span><br />
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It isn't easy going against the popular culture.</h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday, I took Mariah to a dentist appointment. Armed with my recently acquired knowledge that <a href="http://www.fluoridation.com/c-country.htm">fluoride</a> is bad for us, I didn't allow her usual fluoride rinse and talked with the hygienist when she wanted to change my mind. I told her I was reading about this now and trying to educate myself, but nothing I had read suggested to me that it is effective in preventing cavities and further, if there was a chance it might hurt her, I would hold off until the next six month check up and we could revisit the issue. She understood and told me that she loves fluoride and wishes everyone would understand it like her, but she understood my reluctance. Not so Mariah. She berated me on the way home for being so rude. The familiar complaint, "why do we have to be so different." was starting to wear on me. I know that it not unusual for teens to feel this way about their parents, but as a mom to 11 adopted children, largely minority children, in a very white neighborhood, and Catholic to boot, I realize that there is some truth to the complaint.</span></div>
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Why we must persevere...</h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sept. 11th this year I forgot...why was there a flag outside the children wanted to know. They did not experience the horror of that morning 11 years ago when our country watched our towers fall down, clung together in horror with friends and family, and talked about where our loved ones were. Were they OK? It is just a story to them. Even the ones who lived it were too young to really remember. While in the business of everyday life, I forgot...But I will never really forget. The horror was brought home anew later that afternoon when I heard that protesters had killed our Libyan diplomat and several marines. Because we had allowed a film to be made that was disrespectful to their Islamic leaders. Really...And we apologized for that movie, thank you Mrs. Clinton. But really...Some things are just wrong. I don't hate people who are gay. I may not agree with them, but to tell our Catholic parents that to not allow their children...their children to hear propaganda for gay marriage is wrong. Our church has some absolutes and it is unchanging. The same truth's that John the Baptist was preaching against are still as wrong today as they were 2000 years ago. God doesn't change his mind with the "times." Sometimes saying it will make me unpopular. And not exposing our children to that activism is not promoting hate. What the gay activist chose to forget is that in most families, we teach love not hate and that includes people who are gay. And Muslims. And telling Muslims that it is not OK to kill people to get because they don't like what we say is not right and is not not promoting an atmosphere of hate but it is necessary. We need to say it is not right. Not saying it doesn't make it any less true. And it makes us look weak. Life is not full of grey areas. There are moral absolutes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So my children's discomfort at not being like everyone else might cause some discomfort. Hey, getting un-friended on facebook is uncomfortable, too. But, unlike John the Baptist, who told it like it is, I probably won't lose my actual head. I hope he is smiling down on me right now, in heaven, whole and basking in glory with Jesus as a good and faithful servant. I persevere so that I might one day be able to join them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We must never forget and we must always do and say what is right, regardless of who disagrees with us...even if, maybe especially, if it is hard.</span></h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-1714891739089351372012-08-06T11:12:00.001-07:002012-08-06T11:12:31.513-07:00Do I Really Have to Eat the Body of Christ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">First Eucharist Gifts</span></h3>
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This walnut wall cross has a medal relief of a chalice cut-out. Makes a great First Communion gift.</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I had a day this year when we almost had to run out of Mass. I whispered to my youngest son, who was having an extraordinarily good Mass day, "Just think Ant, soon the whole family will be able to go up for Communion and share the Body of Christ." The look of absolute horror on his face...hmm, maybe I need to prepare him a little better. When I first began teaching elementary Religious Ed, I had grade K. I was loving it, until I had to tell them about Communion. The comments were strange and difficult to handle...how do you make a 5 year old understand Transubstantiation when adults can't really explain it. "It's a divine mystery" doesn't get you very far when you are talking to 5 year old about potentially eating anything unfamiliar, let alone a PERSON...I can't even get mine to eat peas! So I began instruction on my own earlier, at the beginning of the year. If I could get it in before it was "the lesson," I might have a chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We began with talking about families, and how we share with our families at meals, especially the dinner table. Eventually, I was able to make them see the connection between the altar at church and the family table. Also, one of our first lessons was always about Adam and Eve and the gates of Heaven being closed. Sin is a tremendous part of Eucharist, as is the redemption of the cross. I think we don't tell our children, or even our big people enough about sin or frequent use the sacrament of Reconciliation. Eventually, I could share with them that Jesus died on the cross, he gave his body as a gift to us all to re-open the gates of Heaven. We celebrate that each week, at least, in the sacrament of Eucharist, and celebrate the gift of Jesus every week when we are old enough, through the sacrament. When they make the connection, and kids always do...I tell them it's a miracle that only a priest can perform, each week, through his Holy Office...and I tell them the name, "transubstantiation." It's a big word, but I don't expect them to spell it :o) I want them to have pride in their Catholicism. Yes, all Christians can know Jesus, but only Catholics can receive him in the Holy Mass...yeah, Us!! Catholics are very blessed! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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A valuable aid for helping children prepare for First Holy Communion.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvieBF16ENfbp4RfBEWNNv_4eGAMGPWmzmxMGXaLZiUtIZjiwUjE-k4iWeBeuxv5VS7eGq-9H4mcIvAJ3QkigQxqSiy3Qa8EanR47b9R2EIlkFVNwAho7LDUDe-SfOtbn6ll7wzcimeDI/s1600/Living-the-Ten-Commandments-for-Children61318xl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvieBF16ENfbp4RfBEWNNv_4eGAMGPWmzmxMGXaLZiUtIZjiwUjE-k4iWeBeuxv5VS7eGq-9H4mcIvAJ3QkigQxqSiy3Qa8EanR47b9R2EIlkFVNwAho7LDUDe-SfOtbn6ll7wzcimeDI/s320/Living-the-Ten-Commandments-for-Children61318xl.png" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
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Aquinas carries many educational books for children to help prepare them for their sacraments...this book on the 10 Commandments has a mini examination of conscience.</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This year, our family was indeed blessed to have 2 elementary children receive First Holy Communion, as well as 4 older children come into the church at Easter during the vigil. We had to give much thought to Communion Gifts. My husband and I believe in giving traditional gifts for Sacraments and at other holidays. This was no exception. We bought several rosaries as well as prayer books. Aquinas and More has many such gifts, including First Communion bibles, for both girls and boys. They can even be engraved with the child's name. </span></div>
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A beautiful vinyl over paper flexible cover gift edition specially designed for a girl's First Holy Communion. Pages are edged in pink. </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They also have a huge selection of rosaries, like this...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwnuDV2eTpTOduwc2jHRAOvkCxyjxJuHo1X_o6ndAAoPB2-jQSzRWwjKZPupUvPQusXrxKZQVi2O9Zrz0_kSw3aSGSV7ZCQNImmya6sZG5G22dOR4q1gRjmUfI_MyNRjvdCdaFe44E8A/s1600/Black-Glass-Boys-First-Communion-Rosary7238lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwnuDV2eTpTOduwc2jHRAOvkCxyjxJuHo1X_o6ndAAoPB2-jQSzRWwjKZPupUvPQusXrxKZQVi2O9Zrz0_kSw3aSGSV7ZCQNImmya6sZG5G22dOR4q1gRjmUfI_MyNRjvdCdaFe44E8A/s1600/Black-Glass-Boys-First-Communion-Rosary7238lg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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This black glass-bead rosary has a pewter crucifix and chalice/host center. The rosary is 17in. long and comes in a round plastic rosary box with a picture of Christ giving Holy Communion to a young boy.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-tRi4LnHRX248ILChxZ2wa7JvrPaOhxNp7LQs_qaOkENPBHhJ_F30fnek6KvyQ06iY3IGtuwAgGxfkkIA9iurLLiFTed0JSfeOmwA1zx9zxcwDLHak8MagnoVl59EoTE0JhpLeDPJJg/s1600/Boys-First-Communion-Prayer-Card-and-Pendant6130lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-tRi4LnHRX248ILChxZ2wa7JvrPaOhxNp7LQs_qaOkENPBHhJ_F30fnek6KvyQ06iY3IGtuwAgGxfkkIA9iurLLiFTed0JSfeOmwA1zx9zxcwDLHak8MagnoVl59EoTE0JhpLeDPJJg/s320/Boys-First-Communion-Prayer-Card-and-Pendant6130lg.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
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The card comes with a 5/8in. pewter medal on an 18in. chain which has a chalice and host and the words "Body of Christ, Amen" on the front. On the back are the words "My First Holy Communion."This card depicts Christ giving Communion to a young boy. On the back of the card is the following prayer:</h3>
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My Lord Jesus Christ, I firmly believe that I am about to receive, in Communion, Your Body, Your Blood, Your Soul, and Your Divinity.</h3>
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I believe it because You have said it, and I am ready to give my life to maintain this truth</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Thinking outside the box is always a good idea, especially if you are buying for a friend who may have received these special gifts from family members. Medals, such as this St. Anne's medal are always appropriate, especially if you use the child's name as a guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h0ffUd5BXmsMdj315T1t-1kI3xH6oFecLhZDx8qNTiCWzN1lvO5dIrDREfjahPHHS0phqvvfmRmHn6Ox8bWoPf9bKhlRbAjXvYasKALbiqO_izh6x_F0kk07OqSDbN3W0XWroIlN4e4/s1600/Anne-Prayer-Card-with-Pendant16445lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h0ffUd5BXmsMdj315T1t-1kI3xH6oFecLhZDx8qNTiCWzN1lvO5dIrDREfjahPHHS0phqvvfmRmHn6Ox8bWoPf9bKhlRbAjXvYasKALbiqO_izh6x_F0kk07OqSDbN3W0XWroIlN4e4/s320/Anne-Prayer-Card-with-Pendant16445lg.jpg" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
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This beautiful laminated hold card shows St. Anne with the Child Mary at her knee. On the back is the following prayer:</h3>
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Glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee under thy special protection.</h3>
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Vouchsafe to recommend it to thy Daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face, and with thee and Mary and all the Saints, praising and blessing Him for all eternity.</h3>
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Good St. Anne, mother of Her who is our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, pray to her for us, and obtain our request. Amen</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Aquinas and More also has fine jewelry, such as this Rosary bracelet and wow, I love this jasper stone First Communion Rosary!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1NW5FUjbSHlhsCYxpns5IsQnB-Ztm_IP-4vCEn6K6fSe3VNM94Tqj__QFzOp5g28yT5HyC3ll-cA_sX9Dj2gCT0LRlBnitzbjnnXEWAApoHsXco63R2SnbBRWxoHCE-xiEEWtLJuPdc/s1600/Jasper-Stone-Bead-First-Communion-Rosary12191lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1NW5FUjbSHlhsCYxpns5IsQnB-Ztm_IP-4vCEn6K6fSe3VNM94Tqj__QFzOp5g28yT5HyC3ll-cA_sX9Dj2gCT0LRlBnitzbjnnXEWAApoHsXco63R2SnbBRWxoHCE-xiEEWtLJuPdc/s320/Jasper-Stone-Bead-First-Communion-Rosary12191lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Present this gorgeous and unique rosary to a first communicant as a keepsake of their first Eucharist and a motivation to constantly pray</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZQG1G8tkzSwEZTleFERBS2OeuHxxjwkr_lay4ZCw0dEkfT7FA7Z_qr1DWsEfWoO2FxT-Gdt48fp1pHGlibvM20-uSSt42v9oHT2uRGDOSD9NGq3pcppVg7VqfcovbpDbYFZ-iutCaMA/s1600/Childs-Crystal-Rosary-Bracelet7218lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZQG1G8tkzSwEZTleFERBS2OeuHxxjwkr_lay4ZCw0dEkfT7FA7Z_qr1DWsEfWoO2FxT-Gdt48fp1pHGlibvM20-uSSt42v9oHT2uRGDOSD9NGq3pcppVg7VqfcovbpDbYFZ-iutCaMA/s1600/Childs-Crystal-Rosary-Bracelet7218lg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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This 5-decade First Communion rosary has white pearl beads and a Celtic crucifix. Beads measure approximately <span data-scayt_word="4mm" data-scaytid="1">4mm</span>. Overall rosary length is <span data-scayt_word="17in" data-scaytid="2">17in</span>.</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In case you are still having to catch up on some items for First Communion prep (not that I would know anything about that!!) look at these banners!! Aquinas and More even has banner <a href="http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/making-your-first-communion-banner-project-painless/article/367">class kits and information</a> about Communion prep to make it as easy as possible!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvMJe5tKpIRjEWDVAOgDjUjC1-3mrwLv1jhluxnkpKzJ3nUyWOK2VnW0cy9Q6zqtuh0rK7WVRxmWcVtXJFbaXKAuf5-xj_wTB_gpv7ggEevZBS9eM0u3Wb0ZflU-iLr-iV0Gk4gMLHV4/s1600/Lamb-of-God-Boys-First-Communion-Banner-Kit76675lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvMJe5tKpIRjEWDVAOgDjUjC1-3mrwLv1jhluxnkpKzJ3nUyWOK2VnW0cy9Q6zqtuh0rK7WVRxmWcVtXJFbaXKAuf5-xj_wTB_gpv7ggEevZBS9eM0u3Wb0ZflU-iLr-iV0Gk4gMLHV4/s1600/Lamb-of-God-Boys-First-Communion-Banner-Kit76675lg.jpg" /></a></div>
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Isn't that banner beautiful?</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">And if you waited until the last minute and don't know what to get, I hear from my kids, a ball is always appropriate, so just punt...I mean kick! How about this St. Christopher soccer medal!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANZXF1hDMBIFpslEYdCuXShHBzYq1k0ZCAXFF5FvgQXtbVBvvz9KgvJraMdzdJ0pYTm74-e6dKKqMGyWyCfkcZksoNtlPPqKys33Lq6lBV8nKn6fxvLPG-yplw41NKV_CJ8kpjOtoWUA/s1600/Christopher-Pewter-Soccer-Medal4705lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANZXF1hDMBIFpslEYdCuXShHBzYq1k0ZCAXFF5FvgQXtbVBvvz9KgvJraMdzdJ0pYTm74-e6dKKqMGyWyCfkcZksoNtlPPqKys33Lq6lBV8nKn6fxvLPG-yplw41NKV_CJ8kpjOtoWUA/s320/Christopher-Pewter-Soccer-Medal4705lg.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
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This hand engraved New England pewter <span data-scayt_word="1in" data-scaytid="1">1in</span>. X 5/<span data-scayt_word="8in" data-scaytid="2">8in</span>. oval St. Christopher Medal, inscribed with the words, "Protect us", depicts a soccer player and comes with a <span data-scayt_word="24in" data-scaytid="3">24in</span>. stainless chain. </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">While Aquinas and More can help with all your gift giving needs, your prayers and support are all that is necessary for your special little ones inition into the church! Congratulations!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-62129469604648716862012-07-14T20:39:00.000-07:002012-07-14T20:39:40.516-07:00Hey, deja vu...<h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Really
missed talking at you...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Been a while...I have
missed you my friends! I think I had a bit of a mental vacation. I was reading,
as you all know, about Autism. In my search for information, I realized that it
is entirely possible...likely...that I am raising 11 Autistic children. I am
exhausted, as if somehow giving what we are living through a name makes it
somehow harder. It's not. It's always been hard. But now I am convinced that
regardless of the fall out, I need to have a professional step in and help with
actual diagnosis, referrals for school, and other assorted minutia in the life
or any family that has 11 kids with challenges. We started the summer with good
intentions. I was going to home school them lightly, focusing on organizational skills
which are needed across the board. Follow it up with test and note taking
skills, which would be necessary where ever they are schooled. Finally, I would
dip into some literature about the civil war and a Note booking study on the
same. I hoped to follow this up with a trip to some Civil War sites in PA when
we took our annual holiday to see Grandma. However, by one hour into day one,
we quit. My children basically said that they were never going to home school
and why do we have to be so different from everybody else. And can we all get iPhones...I
figured it was going to be a long hot summer, but I had no idea...I was stressed. I think I lost my words. That made me very sad. How about those kids who don't have their words in the first place. I felt so helpless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Cha-cha...changes...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To the end of
subsidizing a robust treatment plan and being stricter with our whole food
regime and babysitters, sigh, I decided to look for a job :o) Yes, being the
mother of 11 children is a Full-Time Job, but I am an old mommy with a chronic
disease. I have already spent more than 16 years of my life being a SAHM and
now I want to go out!!! Even if it's just to a job. I tried having a position
where I could beef up my writing and hope that went somewhere, however, my
first two foray's were somewhat unsuccessful...I think I need better
equipment!! A little more software. In order to that, I need a job. I know my
husband would probably do this and he is entirely supportive, however, feeling
a little sheepish...like my 6 year old when she get stubborn...My want to do it
by myself!! In my research for the articles for Autism, what struck out at me
is, wait for it...there is really a shortage of qualified teachers in the
United States! OK, in North Texas anyway, and I am not moving back to
Scranton!! Investigating grad school and entertaining enrollment counselors was
fun, but I also found out that TX (and a few other states) has programs to help
individuals with bachelors' degrees segue into teaching. Awesome! In a few
days, I was signed up and getting started. I have to admit I had a bad moment
when I sent an email to Penn State asking to have my transcript forwarded to
iTeachtexas. I asked the enrollment counselor what grades were required
assuring her that while my bachelor's grades were probably not stellar (I had a
great time in college, and that's about all), I had at least 12 masters'
credits that were all A's. She actually hung up on me when I said that about
having a great time in college. Probably thought I was a crank. Anyway, because
of said grades, I am only really qualified to teach Special Ed. Shawn thinks
that is wonderful. I have to wonder how that would be any different than summer
with my kids, but so be it...It may all be moot anyway. I mean, how can I
teach? I have 11 children! I immediately change the look of my blog, utilizing
a picture. I wanted to add the tag line of the actual photo amended just a
bit..."You don't scare me. I have 11 children." I deleted it in the
end. I really don't want anyone to think I am making light of our situation,
but there you have it. My life in a nut shell. We canceled the trip to see
grandma. I went with three of the girls. I decided then that I really, really
need to move on to my plan. Have you ever had a child put ice cubes down your
shirt while you are driving 70 mph on a crowded highway. Welcome to my life...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnKaePZMjdCFTl8UiU6n09EQx-Mb_hMNug-2AaC2Qgl7qcg6nAH-jftbQh6UhO0Nf15P9jjg1g9GRisR-AZ_fdQn6sL2iVdkh784Wgc9_-81vxQ0l_9M5XlAZAVuYLOXfVfE9z_LiFs0/s1600/dwell+in+glory..pa+road+trip+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnKaePZMjdCFTl8UiU6n09EQx-Mb_hMNug-2AaC2Qgl7qcg6nAH-jftbQh6UhO0Nf15P9jjg1g9GRisR-AZ_fdQn6sL2iVdkh784Wgc9_-81vxQ0l_9M5XlAZAVuYLOXfVfE9z_LiFs0/s640/dwell+in+glory..pa+road+trip+2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before the road trip, Relaxin' in the car!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And finally, the more things change...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I missed my blog, and I missed you...hey I have seven subscribers now. I am planning on going back to its original intent...talking about God, and Mass, and annoying people with my firmly Catholic viewpoint. Did you miss me....digressions and all! In support of that goal I am starting two other blogs so this can stay firmly about Catholicism, my 11 crazy kids, and eating nutritionally dense food. I'm baaaack...</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></h3>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-4197049998177694932012-05-25T09:49:00.000-07:002012-05-25T10:22:34.861-07:00Autism Speaks...Now It is Starting to Scream<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizROLStxhIs7ny2LIMar_nbNT43Kmn6EKHWUaf55gvtAA10CrtwNuOI831tlsYTnFy5bMnIKC46oKTq90Uq4vi9_6yT12xwbGTPwbqYYnkTnYc8Dy_Cqiib1pZDSTEq-VmDpXbRASLicU/s1600/autism+5-12+imagesCAGROURV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizROLStxhIs7ny2LIMar_nbNT43Kmn6EKHWUaf55gvtAA10CrtwNuOI831tlsYTnFy5bMnIKC46oKTq90Uq4vi9_6yT12xwbGTPwbqYYnkTnYc8Dy_Cqiib1pZDSTEq-VmDpXbRASLicU/s320/autism+5-12+imagesCAGROURV.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hey,
have you missed me? I have been kicked in the butt by life. My children have
entered another birthday phase. Add to that the end of school, spring football
parties, and finals, well...I was done. My disappearance was probably amplified
by my promise to deliver a second part to my last post on Autism. After all the
research for my last post, I was so proud. I diagnosed my kids and
figured out, among other things, their inability to succeed in school. Not only
that, I had been investigating going back to school and was examining the
choices at Penn State Online. I was shocked by all the new course offerings.
One was a certificate course in Autism. Really? I had to Google it and there
are many new programs and businesses starting up. That's great...when the
crushing burden of caring for all the children who are being diagnosed and will
conceivably be unable to live a normal life...marry...have children. At least
we will have a more educated population to care for them. Established programs
for them to live in and be educated in. I started to seriously consider the
Autism program at Penn State. I could really make a difference in my boys'
lives. I could help them to gain necessary skills. Then later I could join a
program and help other kids...make a difference. My hold up, the one that had
kept me from considering Autism initially was a belief that autistic children
have some type of disability in the social skills...communication. All my boys
are very popular and have no trouble making or keeping friends. Long story, short (and when was the last time you ever heard ME say that!): the good news
is my boys aren't Autistic. Since I was going to be an Autism professional I
decided to check out the DSM guidelines. Nope, not a one. Nada. OK, let's check
Aspergers...nothing. Not even a little PDD...what the heck. In frustration I
checked Learning Disability in the DSM and my goodness, there it was. It
explained my kids problems to a T. But why not Autism. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrBB-EbtSgBz-u8nHAvKw_3JCL0e0QLRYO69R6zAhdpwfLclxZU9qrCDpOq3v_gKVXbEzw2_m5DtNEEvlYDSkOBw2_hO99cguq1ya4Q0PDcUKa7Wto3mBsHGnxDEFDkUrAaOTxaACh7E/s1600/autism+5-12+Obama-injection-77132287838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrBB-EbtSgBz-u8nHAvKw_3JCL0e0QLRYO69R6zAhdpwfLclxZU9qrCDpOq3v_gKVXbEzw2_m5DtNEEvlYDSkOBw2_hO99cguq1ya4Q0PDcUKa7Wto3mBsHGnxDEFDkUrAaOTxaACh7E/s320/autism+5-12+Obama-injection-77132287838.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
have also read...a lot...about natural cures to heal autism. I will develop
this next time :o) I promise I won't stay away long...but there is much
anecdotal research to suggest that Autism, along with other autoimmune diseases
such as Fibromyalgia and MS, are caused by inflammations in the body. These can
be exacerbated by vaccines, among other things. The government refuses to
assign that as a possibility, going so far as to continue to expand the recommended
schedule and increase limitations to objections. A memory nagged at me and I
went searching for their vaccination records. Nope, they were not vaccinated as
infants. My only vaccinated on time child was my son I adopted privately right
from the hospital and possibly my oldest. The others were all at least a hardy 2 year old before getting
shot....er, figuratively, of course. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7WITNwzriCoKbbxDAei8C6lfi5GK71jSidGxPiJqDB3UCWXeYDZupIhzEwsea55AGT0ntrJmmfgxRGuMcKWnS6MD_AO0Wuqqusc9StNrhC6t6oSlBPR1o9JIDWqe32KTOy0WWlaWh88/s1600/autism+5-12+Bill_vaccination-comic-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7WITNwzriCoKbbxDAei8C6lfi5GK71jSidGxPiJqDB3UCWXeYDZupIhzEwsea55AGT0ntrJmmfgxRGuMcKWnS6MD_AO0Wuqqusc9StNrhC6t6oSlBPR1o9JIDWqe32KTOy0WWlaWh88/s320/autism+5-12+Bill_vaccination-comic-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So,
while its not Autism, I will begin looking into resources for LD...how could I
not know that this was a stand alone disorder like Dyslexia. I though it was
just a category for disorders like Dyslexia, but I digress. Whew...that
probably saved me thousands of dollars. Then I thought about institutions that
designed programs to combat the glut of children, mostly boys, affected by
Autism. What about the other areas of Human Services...in home providers,
homes, institutions, doctors...There is training for professionals, there are educational companies...my quick Google search yielded 1,310,000 hits. How many people are counting on these poor
children to sustain their own families in a depressed economy. What about the
individuals who profit from the vaccines in the first place. I realize that
some individuals make considerable money from the research and development of
them, however, there must be an army in just supplying America with all the
vaccines we are required to submit are children to, even just in the first year.
Is it wrong for them to want to make a good life for their own families...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Families
wanting to earn a good living -vs- a generation of boys who may never marry,
gain independence, or support their own families. Hmmm....tough call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMeC2QKRAgTdAhmElRwNOpV4l54rCLyFj-KvgktUkiz70Bft9I4Y30FRypFC0Qv4pRY0uxD1S-zAoM-WuF9ClblJcR8pS2vsB39yjCIU7QT7HZiud2LfbhmPc6PCysE0ZIfEGY9O6-Jc/s1600/autism+5-12+vaccines+autism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMeC2QKRAgTdAhmElRwNOpV4l54rCLyFj-KvgktUkiz70Bft9I4Y30FRypFC0Qv4pRY0uxD1S-zAoM-WuF9ClblJcR8pS2vsB39yjCIU7QT7HZiud2LfbhmPc6PCysE0ZIfEGY9O6-Jc/s320/autism+5-12+vaccines+autism.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shared on the following blog hop:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ccenter%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amblogdesign.com%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa429/mommyssweetthings/Blog%20Hops%20Everday/BlogHopsEverydayFridayBlogHopButton.png%22%20alt=%22Blog%20Hops%20Everyday%20and%20A%20Mommy's%20Blog%20Design%20Friday%20Blog%20Hop%22%20border=%220%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/center%3E" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVYq-J1sQh9P5hCeimmMVbSwbCwxFdpsadHH2DuWxDplozZwQdNoQ-JqFQA2HnT-CvXdtuhuBlRqNydXwln0NAiZ_rw07fhTMjV8WnKl0D9xMjmcT_sWTxGWTwA_enL-gfFK0PaWtIto/s1600/BlogHopsEverydayFridayBlogHopButton.png" />a mommy's blog design studio</a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-61444112535877007222012-05-02T18:23:00.000-07:002012-05-02T18:24:42.701-07:00222 > 24,000...the new math?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp2YbGFE0KFC4USa5CFi1Nor0aAOvYvhcnrh_aTbizjBJjeRp-920CHExZWyLDccQecR5SQ2T3LDIPKLErGPg3OuVxSA4iWPb3Gfga6sqZvF77K9VVO2rDsCXn9lURV1BCa0suoiCUK4/s1600/autism+mom+picking+up+the+dirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp2YbGFE0KFC4USa5CFi1Nor0aAOvYvhcnrh_aTbizjBJjeRp-920CHExZWyLDccQecR5SQ2T3LDIPKLErGPg3OuVxSA4iWPb3Gfga6sqZvF77K9VVO2rDsCXn9lURV1BCa0suoiCUK4/s200/autism+mom+picking+up+the+dirt.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Like the Bird Flu that kept us out of school for what seemed like forever, news of illness breaking out in large numbers is scary. Visions of communities patrolled by armed guards and gates...I have read the thrillers, seen the movies. I have a healthy fear of outbreaks of illness! So when I saw this article, reported by USAToday, about a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-04-19/Measles-worst-year-CDC/54411802/1">measles epidemic</a> in the United States, I instantly had to click on it. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpwvMyXW3dCo34D1UE_OkGP8NSrEYOvQfGBQi5P0jvw0v1xLGm30V82A3h7j10mT2toKIfviB9pq-EdwMoIrW8yCy1iTJWTqHeSRSOk831zPrNI2L3aDMM4fpnff1l821wqv_-H2tApk/s1600/autism+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpwvMyXW3dCo34D1UE_OkGP8NSrEYOvQfGBQi5P0jvw0v1xLGm30V82A3h7j10mT2toKIfviB9pq-EdwMoIrW8yCy1iTJWTqHeSRSOk831zPrNI2L3aDMM4fpnff1l821wqv_-H2tApk/s320/autism+image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lately, every time I turn around, someone is complaining about their boy's behavior. Everywhere I turn I see that boys especially are on the spectrum. I have 11 adopted children, 6 who are boys. All the boys have behavior problems and even though I am an experienced mother who has a bachelors and some graduate credits in social work and spent my entire career in parent education, I am not that familiar with autism. I assumed it could not be my child's disease. However, I have sought out information and am finding that behaviors who look more like my boys are indeed being diagnosed as autism. Or would if I took them to be evaluated. When I heard the crazy stats about them, 1 in 88 which is probably understated, I said, well that's my answer. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Research suggest that the Autism epidemic is caused by vaccines. The government is in complete denial. There are entire blogs posted about the behavior of the CDC, who mandates that children take more and more immunizations. The doctors who develop the immunizations and consequently profit from them. Even the support agency that is making tremendous dollars to find a cure, Autism Now--where is the incentive to find a cure when it is paying for all their salaries? Many parents still believe vaccines are the cause, but it is disputed firmly by Thomas Insel and other experts during a recent panel called "Information from New Research into Autism." During the recording, a caller said that her child was not autistic when he was born and brought up the fact that the 2 month old vaccines contain a toxic load of well over the safe limit of 20mcg. Insel quickly denied a link, claiming, </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9xTsom0RujtAZn3z4l77R9O9hBSzCAdYKo9qXvVOof4utoIRjf_NWQlP4-Ltq_R2id4APW75h_Ibhy9DhpPXDmatKYtlNZU9C4Iu14VEOmBJcag2wjmUhLTCa_rji_-OeiWGC7UjatQ/s1600/autism+vaccine+connection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9xTsom0RujtAZn3z4l77R9O9hBSzCAdYKo9qXvVOof4utoIRjf_NWQlP4-Ltq_R2id4APW75h_Ibhy9DhpPXDmatKYtlNZU9C4Iu14VEOmBJcag2wjmUhLTCa_rji_-OeiWGC7UjatQ/s320/autism+vaccine+connection.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<em>"Studies] have indicated that there is no such link. These most recent numbers, if there was any lingering doubt, should speak to that fact, because ...the theory was that thimeral, an additive in vaccines, was responsible and thimerosal has been removed from virtually all vaccines ... you would have expected those numbers to go down. ...In fact, they've gone up.” </em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the other side of the debate, <a href="http://www.ageofautism.com/2012/05/rep-dan-burton-calls-for-autism-hearings-take-action.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ageofautism+%28AGE+OF+AUTISM%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail">Rep. Dan Burton</a>, who's grandson was diagnosed with autism in the late '90's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">said, "I’m not a scientist, but the Committee heard from many credible scientists and experts who are convinced that mercury is a contributing factor; and the theory is no less worthy of exploration than the theories being propounded today that the pregnancy weight of the mother or the age of the father at conception influences whether a child becomes autistic. When you have no idea what is causing a disease, policymakers and scientists should never be afraid to investigate any plausible theory. In fact, researching possible environmental factors is a central component of today's research on autism." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am not a scientist either, but I can do math if I have a calculator nearby. Lets see, we are positive that it isn't vaccines, but we have no idea what it is. Credible scientists believe that autism is caused by vaccines, yet we don't give every hypothesis a chance. We eliminate one even though it has been found by more than one scientist and countless anecdotal evidence by parents who have pictures, tapes, and family witness to speak to the fact that their children began exhibiting symptoms only after vaccinations, but we will discard that idea as completely not possible and explore every one of the other 80,000 possibilities it could be in search of the answer. But what do I know. I mean they have 222 cases of confirmed measles last year. Measles is a tough disease and all those whiny parents of autistic kids refusing to vaccinate are going to bring back every epidemic...222 kids with measles vs. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://autism.emedtv.com/autism/autism-statistics.html">24,000</a> children born this year who will be diagnosed with autism.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CVh18suhg-4Sm0lIXgRRxSSyyVh4Fmm5C7kn9DcNbJ2o18L1tGq9dOTJu1V8avMiju40C0qNBPsC7RBj7GkCZLlXXUeg27FK2NJAD5iHG-1gg2Kg4qKkcyb3SUaU34RBKpZoTdGHWeo/s1600/autism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CVh18suhg-4Sm0lIXgRRxSSyyVh4Fmm5C7kn9DcNbJ2o18L1tGq9dOTJu1V8avMiju40C0qNBPsC7RBj7GkCZLlXXUeg27FK2NJAD5iHG-1gg2Kg4qKkcyb3SUaU34RBKpZoTdGHWeo/s200/autism.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google image</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lost in all the numbers is one clear fact, </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>If you look at those numbers, the increase and recognize how many of those kids will become adults, we ...also need to be thinking about how we prepare the nation for a million people who may need significant amounts of services as they are no longer cared for by their parents or as their parents are no longer around.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yes, Mr. Insel, what are we going to do...isn't that your job...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Please join me next week for part two... and don't worry, I'll be watching...</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-16694131301134218382012-04-26T12:19:00.001-07:002012-04-26T12:21:57.244-07:00Not a Creature was Stirring except a cat who looked like a mouse plus a review: Dumbing Us Down<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I try to get to bed by 1o:oo every night. It is not always doable, but its a goal. Last night I was tired...in bed well before my goal. Tucked in and sound asleep with all the children; they have STAAR tests this week and have been told by their teachers how important a good nights sleep is...even if you are in K through 2nd and don't have testing yet. It is your responsibility to get a good nights sleep so you will be on your best behavior and quiet several halls away where your older siblings are eating mints and taking tests (evidently mints are a time honored tradition, much like mums, here in the south...but I digress). At approximately 11:27 (yes, I looked) I was awoken by a small "mew" sound. I shot a look at my fat cat sprawled on the bottom of my bed. I heard it again, and her mouth never moved. In fact, she looked at me like this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Clearly, it was not Ashe. The two of us went off in search of the now much louder mewing...did the birds learn to meow? Didn't I tell y'all that the Murphy Farm grew by two birds last Easter, thank you very much Easter Bunny! I am trying to teach them to talk though my two girls tell me often that Parakeets have lost their ability to speak. That said, every time I walk in their room, I say in a high squeaky voice, "Nico, Kiki" convinced that they will repeat me one day and finish off my heart. Now Ashe began to hiss at an alarming frequency and began to hold back in the quest, ignoring the delicious looking birds room, so I knew it wasn't them. No, it go louder the closer to the lit up kitchen I got. There, Matthew had the tiniest grey cat with the largest voice captive in a cage. "I rescued it mom from the parking lot of the health club...can I keep it?" I looked at Ashe, and though all she would do was hiss, I just kept thinking, "remember the last time you tried to bathe a cat and how that turned out...and this kitten stinks." But I just said put it in the garage with some food and make it stop making so much noise, and back to bed I went thinking w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">hat is it about my PA kids that has made their inner farmer come clawing to the surface. We can't get enough animals. Mariah took one look at the half dead kitten in the morning and claimed it...as if her crazy dog is going to be willing to share. But like that, it was settled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Later, I couldn't help but think is it Nature vs. Nurture. I have been reading a book by <strong>John Taylor Gatto</strong> called, <strong>Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling</strong>. He isn't very encouraging saying, "School, as it was built, is an essential support system for a model of social engineering that condemns most people to be subordinate stones in a pyramid that narrows as it ascends to a terminal of control." I had to use his words,because he is genius. Those words and his enthusiasm for education are what made this book such a long enduring success. He claims that he left a very lucrative career as a copywriter, and if you read the book, you will see that he must have been very successful. He can make you believe in a reading (a quick read, it wasn't easy to stop once in!! ) that all public schools should just be scrapped. They are too big and too expensive to just be reformed. In fact, Mr. Gatto claims that the Public School system is 100% successful in its true goals which have nothing to do with education, but instead with turning us into a population of materialistic, unattached, and distracted individuals that have no true support systems or values. That is a very lofty if misguided goal. I don't believe that it is the true agenda of the Public School System, however, there is much that rings true in his assertions. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Societal problems that Mr. Gatto attributes to the school system include: provisional self-esteem or basing self-worth and value on something external; dependency on others to tell them what to do or fear of getting anything done without expert instruction; that no one can be trusted and you must watch everyone all the time; the demise of family and community in favor of shallow networks; drugs; suicide; and divorce. He said that the lessons of public schooling, "confusion, class position, indifference, emotional and intellectual dependency, conditional self-esteem, and surveillance. All of these lessons are prime training for permanent underclasses, people deprived forever of finding the center of their own special genius." He believes that school encourages youth, and consequently, the population, to sever community ties in favor of networks to gain better jobs and ways of life, but which are not rich sources of community--in fact are not community at all. He talks about successful communities who grow by like minded people moving closer to each other and helping each other....caring about each other. Not in a network because they fall into the same catch man area. Pretty heavy stuff for a mom who was just wondering why her PA kids keep bringing home animals and my city kids are content to watch TV...but what do I know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Anyway, I can't help but think that Mr. Gatto has made an impressive start on the debate of compulsory schooling. Of course, this book was written initially in 1992 and I was reading the 1oth anniversary issue...the debates well underway. The book gives a wonderful explanation for many of the ills of our society that we currently are plagued with. Kids are very distractable...how could they not be if every time they begin to get interested in something a bell rings and they need to put it away and move to something else. Genius, but no real supporting research. I guess I need that because I am a product of compulsory education and would like an expert opinion or two. I am tempted to agree with him because he confirms my position that children should spend more time at home with each other than with teachers. I believe there is sufficient evidence to that, even the Bible and the Catholic church agree there, but I am not ready to scrap the entire public school system on Mr. Gatto's very persuasive and enthusiastic anecdotal evidence after 30 years in one city school district. Might a rural school have fared better if he had spent the same amount of time there. Can the national system of education really have a decades long evil agenda, even if it initially began that way? The system was self-perpetuation because it involves many individuals, a lot of money, and entire industries that now feed into it. Even the home school industry has many dollars riding on education. Which leads me to my original question that led to the search for the book...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And the one thing I really wanted to know, why I even bought the book was his idea that it takes about 100 hours to transmit the information to a child how to read, write, and do math once that child is sufficiently ready and zero money. If that is true, then I can definitely teach my children. Can I really home school, or do I need an expert to teach me how to do it...I was unable to find expert support (damn my compulsory schooling!) for that statement, however, I will keep looking. If its true, then really, I just have to make them love learning, follow their lead and natural inquisitiveness, keep them away from television (which Gatto said is the second agenda stealing our children away from their natural support) and wait until they are emotionally ready to learn. Then they will excel. In that case, Mr. Gatto has made me a believer. That is supported by the millions who do home school. I may be a product of my education, but I'm not stupid!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">If you are even a little curious, whether or not you may choose to homeschool, this is an important look at the state of our nation's future...our youth. I have the book linked in my Amazon widget on this page...enjoy! I sit here several days after we adopted an abandoned kitten, much to Ashe's dismay, she is still hissing, and wondering if we are going to have to bury it, too...any cat experts out there...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">References:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">John Taylor Gatto. Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (p. 13). Kindle Edition. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">John Taylor Gatto. Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (p. 16). Kindle Edition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">John Taylor Gatto. Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (p. 33). Kindle Edition. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-23716080163309209282012-04-19T18:30:00.001-07:002012-04-19T18:49:37.269-07:00Decisions...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I am pretty sure I am going to home school, at least this summer and see how it goes. None of my children, with the exception of Tina, is a very serious student. I figure I probably cannot hurt them and maybe it will help. If it goes well with all of them, I am sure I will be able to handle most through the school year. My reasons for homeschooling have very little to do with education, though :o(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Why Home school?</span><br />
<ol>
<li>The majority of our children, <span style="font-family: Georgia;">7 out of 11, are from a sibling group who were adopted out of foster care two years ago. We need to learn how to be a family and that is difficult with our current schedules.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Many of the children were born addicted to drugs and we believe they can be helped through nutrition. In fact, last summer we implemented a whole food diet and we saw tremendous gains...we think we can do better but consistency counts. Not only does the time spent away from home hurt this, but just being in public school has hurt. The children want what they see their friends eat...and its always "just one special treat."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The children have all missed early stimulation and some basic skills. Our public school has been amazing in trying to close the gaps, but it is just too hard.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Why not Home school?</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are a lot of them and one of me. If I disappear after June and don't return, would someone please call for help!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I really don't know anything about teaching. I am an avid reader and I can read about how to do it, but I really don't know what to do!!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Um, there are a lot of them...</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So that's the plan...My reason's to are much more compelling than my reasons not to, but still...I'm afraid. Given that none of our children are destined to be scholars, I tell myself that the reasons to keep them home will benefit them in the long run, but that is a huge gamble to take. Do you think I can teach myself enough skill to make this work. I have seriously considered signing up for a teaching program, but the idea of starting a new bachelors at 50 just doesn't sit well with me. I have a few Masters credits but they are in social work. Is there something I could do to add to it to help. Because of the unpredictability of my MS, I am unlikely to ever return to the work world, so could it be helpful enough for me to justify the expense?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And then there is the aspect of printables. I have become obsessed with making printables for subjects. I always try to have something on hand if we an event coming up or to help with homework. So I was reading one of my new favorite teacher blogs (I really love almost all of them! They are so fun!) They are having classes online and while I think it is in regards to making and marketing printables, they are sharing teaching ideas? Could this help. It is infinitely affordable and I would be learning some skills? Any thoughts? Better ideas? Just trust God to help me do this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Any teachers out there want to chime in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Any teachers out there want to take the class or teach me...Here is a <a href="http://www.ateacherstreasure.com/2012/04/fcat-day-1-expo-giveaway.html">link</a> to the site I was on and the information regarding the class...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-44905928060266397822012-04-14T13:40:00.000-07:002012-04-14T13:41:50.601-07:00Mother knows Best?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I woke up yesterday morning. After getting most of the kids off to school with Shawn, I saw that I had one out of school son sleeping over...must have visited the girlfriend last night and no gas money to get back to his apartment. Another son sleeping in nursing a cold. Two small girls also nursing a cold but suffering from a slight fever, rendering them ineligible for public school today. Grabbing the girls, my phone, and my vitamins, I began I began to surf. While perusing my messages, I found what looked to be an interesting article from a blogger I subscribe to..."Why I don't encourage my girls to <a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/main/2012/04/why-im-not-teaching-my-children-to-follow-their-dreams.html">follow their dreams..."</a> Hmmm, sounds like something Mariah would claim on her facebook page that I said to her and I took a look. At first glance, I agreed with the article. I absolutely want my daughters to marry, forever, and give being a homemaker a good shot. I feel its so important. Then with a quick glance at facebook which I have completely abandoned this week while fending off flu germs and mourning the candidacy of my favored candidate while he watches his child, sigh...I see that another GOP candidate was crucified in the news by Obama's new press agent who said his wife could not relate to American mother's because she had never worked a day in her life. She was reportedly avenged by none other than Michelle Obama, who gave her the big girlfriend high five. Did I miss so much in just a week of flu germs and Clorox free white vinegar <a href="http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/homemade-all-purpose-cleaner/">disinfectant</a> wipe-downs. Yes, it was a big mommy week. But isn't it always!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Truly, I was great with Kelly's blog, but I am an adult woman. I suspect that I am an incredibly rebellious adult woman when I agreed with it. My husband would agree that only in my better moments do I agree with her. I was having one when I read it. I could, and should, do better. I agreed with her assertations for myself. Do I think for Mariah, she is correct. While I want for Mariah all the things she claimed God wanted in the Bible...a qualified yes. I think nothing would make me happier than Mariah living her life, for God...with a Godly husband who supports her and their eventual children. Very happy. If that is what she chooses. Because God does allow that choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When Hilary Rosen decided to take a <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2012/04/13/now-stay-at-home-mom-ann-romney-lacks-life-experience/">swipe</a> at Ann Romney, I am sure she did not expect the backlash that it would create, even before her boss's wife chimed in. Many others have said things that in hindsight, would have been better not to utter. I would have to say that the most ignorant thing that she said was that American women wouldn't find her relate-able...I have never been able to relate to any of the First Lady's...not because they are or aren't mothers, but because they live a life of scrutiny that I cannot even imagine. I wouldn't be able to relate to Mrs. Romney in any way, despite the fact that she has many children, she has stayed home with them, and she has MS. She is a different religion, a different tax bracket, and she has stared death in the eye more than once. There are a million different reasons why I wouldn't relate to her, any more than I did Mrs. Obama. Women need to learn to respect each other's choices in all area's, but motherhood is an area where we should be the most sensitive. There are a million reasons why they need to work or stay home. Express themselves or die to self. Have children or don't...So complicated and so simple...Really. I thought I would die if I didn't have a child...and then I had many at once...this was my life...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, God wants us to obey him. We don't always listen...heck, we don't usually even ask. Some may get that at 18. Others not until they are considerably older. Others may never. I hope, for my daughter's sake, she is closer to the one who gets it at 18. I want my girl...all of my girls to know God enough to have a glimpse of what He wishes for her to do and to have the maturity to decide to go along with that plan. I haven't even begun to think about the other side of that decision...the fatherhood side. Something that neither Miss Rosen or Kelly addressed; the man in our daughter's life that will be the father of the child. If I want for my daughter to commit, for life, to a man, we will need to be praying very hard that he shows up. Right now Mariah's only qualification are that he is "hot." I have a few more expectations. Our society is not making many young people who will fit that bill. Even my own boys are lacking some essential qualities that I would like my prospective son-in-laws to possess. I would not be adverse to Mariah having some marketable skills to fall back on, however, I would like her to be able to use them in rearing my grandchildren. But what will God want for her?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Something that Kelly didn't address in her blog. Sometimes God wishes to use us for things that he didn't plan, but will save the soul of another. Yes, God used those people in the catacombs and it wasn't easy. Some people may have to lose children in order for someone else to be saved. I don't know anything on this side of the tapestry...I do not know what people in my life may have suffered in order for me or someone else to be saved. I believe that God does not cause bad things to happen to us, but I do believe in His sovereignty. He orchestrates all things. I believe that He thinks enough of us to let us die. When we realize that His ultimate aim is for us to live with Him forever in Heaven I think maybe we make too much of all of this. We can never presume to know His will because we could never, not in a million years, know what it really is that He wants us to do. And some things, marry, have a child, homeschool them, nurse, be a teacher...none are intrinsically wrong or right. To say that God wants us to have as many children as possible is to deny God's plan for us, which could be anything because we could never know what He needs us to do. So, I want my daughters to do whatever God needs them to do, whether or not it sounds like what I need them to do. My heavenly father loves all of us more than I can even imagine and we have no way of knowing what He needs us to do...I just pray that we have the stregnth to comply...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-HY0aEShYclCKyaWbQHWhAAkWTNmT21kjwRqz0rDp0X1ivj4Xycv82ErUwJJzprXaDKzK9KGeWVtUivtsjVvYLhSXDccJUm2AiNLQEJod9v5_bY1gQw79C6VWxoaW2RY5j_riYR408w/s1600/beautiful+hand+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-HY0aEShYclCKyaWbQHWhAAkWTNmT21kjwRqz0rDp0X1ivj4Xycv82ErUwJJzprXaDKzK9KGeWVtUivtsjVvYLhSXDccJUm2AiNLQEJod9v5_bY1gQw79C6VWxoaW2RY5j_riYR408w/s400/beautiful+hand+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-75805157147114636272012-04-09T08:50:00.000-07:002012-04-09T09:31:55.297-07:00Hang on, Jesus! I'm coming!!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was sitting waiting for Mass to begin last week...we were quite a bit early. I was chatting with my 8 year old son trying to focus him quietly; there is nothing he dislikes more than being quiet and sitting for long periods of time. Collecting Palms was a distraction at first, but his beloved Palm was now sitting ignored as he looked around and gave me a non-stop commentary on other parishioners. All of a sudden in mid-sentence, he sat up straight in his seat and yelled, "Hey, why did they cover up Jesus? What are they doing...He can't breath. They are trying to kill Jesus!!" He jumped to his feet and whipped out his Palm sword and his cross shield (made by twisting the palm into a cross) He yelled, "Hang on, Jesus...I'm coming!!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, how wonderful it would be to always be prepared to help Jesus, no matter the problem. How wonderful it would be to always be ready to jump up eager to be of use to the Lord. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I keep the Lord always before me; for with him at my right hand, I will never be shaken. (Ps 16:8)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have a printable download available for your child to use to be in God's army...download it <span id="goog_279859258"></span><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/88588174/Gods-Knight">here<span id="goog_279859259"></span></a>...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Such a joy to see the new Catholic's energy...Ant was nodding and looking all pleased with himself...I told him then, "Just think...by next month almost all of you will be able to to receive the body of Christ!" His response, mouth open wide..."what!" It is obvious we have much more work to do!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While four of our children entered into the church with Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist during the Easter Vigil Saturday night, four more have sacraments in the coming weeks. My 10th and 11th graders make Confirmation. Our Third and Fourth graders make First Eucharist. We still have a lot of work to do this Easter. And now is a time to have strong Catholic youth. Our children really do need to be in God's Army. Our church is attacked on all sides both in the world and spiritually. The world is ready to attack the Church by not only ignoring its teachings, through practices such as abortion, but also through legislative means, like through Obama's Mandate. We also attack the foundations of the Church through things like the Clerical Abuse Scandal...both fabricated stories of abuse or real abuse perpetrated decades ago. It erodes the pride and dignity we feel in our Church. We need to learn about our faith. We need to move past the scandals. We need strong children of God to learn and fight for our church. Thank-you, God, for the 11 children you have given Shawn and me to train and teach. May they become strong soldiers for your Holy War...Amen.</span></span><br />
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(This has been posted at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=”http://catholicicing.com/2011/05/catholic-link-up-first-friday-every/”%20target=”_blank”%3E%3Cimg%20border=”0″%20alt=”First%20Friday%20Link%20Up”%20width=”180″%20src=”http://i554.photobucket.com/albums/jj427/bunnydeau/sacredheart3.jpg”%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E">Catholic Icing's First Friday Linky</a>....click here to go back to <a href="http://catholicicing.com/2012/04/first-friday-linky/?utm_source=feedburner">Catholic Icing)</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">May you all have a very Blessed Easter!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">the Murphy's</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-39486830145933111202012-04-01T20:23:00.001-07:002012-04-01T20:25:23.908-07:00Girls Can Be Firefighters, Too...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curly Sue Fire Safety by Scrappin Doodles</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We had an Easter Egg hunt this weekend in our town and the girls who did not have football wanted to attend. Of course we didn't hunt for any eggs. There were bounce houses and balloon art. Then the Fire and Police Departments showed up...Who cares about bounce houses and easter eggs when there is a fire truck and horses!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Come back tomorrow and I will have a free Fire Safety Printable for you to download!</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-83781885277264383652012-03-29T09:20:00.001-07:002012-03-29T09:20:17.480-07:00My 6 Boys Left the House this Morning Wearing a Hoodie....<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Actually, I think a large portion of the 5 girls may have as well. At the risk of overstating it, if the weather doesn't warm up in a few minutes, I will throw my hoodie on, too. Does the fact that I am white (don't get me started on what my race is...I will be focused!!) make a difference in in whether or not I will safely return?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To say that it shouldn't be a factor is slightly naive, of which I claim more than my fair share. But I think that everyone should agree that it should not be the deciding factor in whether you will live or die...your skin color and choice of clothing. I think most everyone would agree that the choices we make should be more of a deciding factor in whether I live or die. I think that we could all also agree, if I am dressed like a gang member, walking around urban areas, steal a back pack, and run from the police as <a href="http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/lawyer-timing-of-911-callers-arrest-suspicious">this</a> recent story suggests, I should be at least fearful that something bad might befall me. Stealing at night is a bad idea...Stealing at night in the same area dressing in a hoodie and running at a time when racial relations are at its highest tension level since the 60's is not the greatest idea. But it still shouldn't be a death sentence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A story that has captured the nations attention recently, however, is <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/trayvon-martin-case-timeline-of-events/">this</a> one...regarding Trayvon Martin. According to one of the many reports on the Internet, Trayvon was 28 year old <a href="http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/29/10915887-police-video-shows-george-zimmerman-shortly-after-trayvon-martin-shooting">George Zimmerman</a> is a member of the local Neighborhood Watch. As a member, Zimmerman is forbidden to carry weapons...they are not police. Zimmerman did not recognize Trayvon as a neighbor, so he watched him. Since Trayvon was walking off the path, Zimmerman followed him. Then it becomes more <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/29/2720704/george-zimmermans-dad-trayvon.html">he said/he said/she said</a> on the cell phone. We do not know the truth. What we do know is that </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Zimmerman disobeyed the <a href="http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2012/032012/03292012/691181">rules of neighborhood watch</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Trayvon was black</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Trayvon was wearing a hoodie</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When he was killed Trayvon had nothing but his cell phone, candy, and an iced tea on him</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I live in a neighborhood where we have an active neighborhood watch. Recently there was a rape on the trail through the park. Neighborhood watches went out to keep joggers safe. Hello...if I went for a jog at night on that trail, although the rapist is probably long gone, I would have some sort of a weapon for safety. If I was going out with a group to check on the trail, I would obey the rules. If I followed someone-alone-because he looked and acted suspiciously to me, I have some choices to make. Zimmerman made errors in judgement, mostly regarding violations in following rules when responding to neighborhood watch type assignments. In wondering if property was more important than young lives. Possibly crossing the line from his current course work in criminal justice at school to real life. Either way, these are things that he must live with now. The black community is making their voices heard through <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/churches-amplify-call-justice-trayvon-15998938">peaceful appeal</a> to the local police and we should be able to move on. I for one would like to see this completed. I have many black boys, they wear hoodies, have been in trouble at school, and despite all my admonishes to eat green, love skittles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/29/trayvon-martin-s-shooting-mirrors-america-s-paranoia-about-barack-obama.html">This</a> scares me...I don't worry about Obama because he is black. I worry about Obama because he has proven that he is wild card and will do whatever he want. <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/12/31/396018/breaking-obama-signs-defense-authorization-bill/?mobile=nc">This</a> scares me...giving him myriad powers in the event of chaos is not something that he wrote, and he says he will not use it..He doesn't always do what he says he will. And <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnn-reports-black-panthers-offering-bounty-on-trayvon-killer-george-zimmerman/">this</a> scares me...The <a href="http://dayofactionmovement.org/index2.html">New Black Panthers</a> who self-identify as a "hate group", call for killing whites, and while not mandatory, many of it members are Islamic. They are not your mother's Black Panthers. I have a lot of black sons and they have a lot of friends, black, white, Hispanic, and Asian. They are mostly unsubmitted and rebellious...most of us are. And almost all of them wear hoodies and eat skittles. Most have been in trouble in school but that should none of these should be risk factors in living. Getting grounded, yes. Dying, no. Is it so hard to just follow the rules. If EVERYONE follows the rules, then we could breathe a little easier...whose rules, you ask. I know that I follow Gods rules as stated to us by Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago, written down by his followers, and translated through tradition and through divine interpretation by His Catholic Church. I cannot tell you to follow it, too, but I invite you to...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Just as a really insignificant aside...if you enjoy getting my posts, I send a notice on my Dwell in Glory facebook page every time I post. I am trying desperately to add a like button, but am terminally technologically impaired...thanks!</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-85068853778914526772012-03-28T12:35:00.002-07:002012-03-28T12:36:12.322-07:00Why Radical Feminists Need to Vote for Santorum<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">An un-solicited, un-validated, and probably un-wanted endorsement...I know you were all waiting though. I finally decided to write this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Last week, I spent hours of time I really couldn't afford trying to understand a situation. A little boy, I'll call him Trayvon, but he could really be any boy, was walking around a development. This little boy was dressed like my boys like to dress, Gangsta! I know because I have listened to, "Mom, everybody dresses this way...it doesn't mean anything." I lecture, and then they dutifully pull up their too big pants until they are out of my sight. Pants which we have allowed because I have witnessed my little brother go through this stage...his freshman slacks get tighter through high school and the older he gets Now he sports a bow tie...but I digress. I get it...it is a stage. They will continue jailing their jeans until they get older and have their own style and more courage to be individual. This, too, will pass. But not for Trayvon. He will not get beyond this point because he was shot. There are plenty of witnesses who came forward to say that Trayvon is a good boy who would never hurt anyone and others who said that he is a trouble-maker. I will leave it up to the experts to make the decisions and pray that they are correct. Unfortunately, with all the press that the story has been given, it has become fodder for the nation. Our President, Barack Obama, made a comment regarding Trayvon being shot. A nice comment actually, where he called for the nation to pray. And I started to wonder....what is he up to?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">From the little I know, and a blog article I read today, the security guard who actually shot Trayvon was told by law enforcement officers to ignore Trayvon and they would be along as quickly as they could. Said security guard pursued him against their orders and shot him. According to the blog article I read today, the biggest issue is the lack of following directions on the part of the security guard. But no one wants to talk about being responsible, so we will discuss whether President Obama is being racist, the American people are being racist, or why individual citizens should carry guns, which may in fact be, with the exception of Trayvons parents, the biggest issue. While we are looking at all of these things, we won't be looking at the Supreme Court deliberations going on in Washington right now...possibly the biggest deliberations since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was passed. Obama Magic...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I have have had to live through days like this quite a few times during this presidency. But the unthinkable...the HSS Mandate. Our president doing something that is illegal. Our president and I do not see eye to eye on many of the issues, however, I expect him to follow the law. In the past year, my eyes have been opened to things that politicians have done, both democratic and republican. I imagine I lean strongly to the side of naive with a healthy bit of disinterest thrown in. Things I have learned this year have forever pushed the disinterest out and I am horrified by how my country has let me down. Let me rephrase...how I have allowed my country to let me down, because I must take some blame. I am interested now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So back to my endorsement...I wasn't interested in eating green...I was interested in eating free...specifically free pizza on Friday nights at our frat house where Rick was president and my best friends boyfriend was a brother. Eventually, I became a sister. I was charged with interviewing all the brothers prior to initiation and I did not. I was interested in the free beer, free pizza, and a fun place to hang out. I interviewed only as many brothers as I could find the time. I didn't have much time, as it turned out. At initiation, the sister in charge of Pledging questioned me...did you interview all the brother's. Did you interview Rick...the president of our fraternity. Uh, skinny guy, dark hair, sweater vest? OK, I made that up, but you know, I did learn how to say the Greek alphabet 3 times to a match and figure out where Marvin Monroe's room was...the invisible brother. But we weren't big on hazing and I was in. As you can see, my interest was not in inner workings of the fraternal system at Penn State. My interest was somewhat less...cerebral! But even then, I could see that Rick was a good man. A good catholic. I began following Rick's career through my involvement in our Fraternity. His first race...we tried to all support him. It is what we did...Regardless of positions we supported our brothers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My excruciatingly long preface was about illustrating that most people do not walk a path for a long time. Our reasons for what we do change. It helps if you have a moral compass that doesn't change. Catholicism is a very steady moral compass. Since its inception by Jesus more than 2000 years ago, times have changed, but maddeningly sometimes, the Catholic church has not. The outside world makes advances, discoveries, and slowly, the church may update its positions. The core statements have remained unchanged. Using it for guidance will help you to be steady and fairly unswerving in your opinions. If elected, Rick will not make his Presidency about turning us all into Catholics or imposing his own personal values on everyone. Rick lives its tenants, including the ones about love your neighbor, not convert your neighbor. Catholics are charged with pointing out a brother's sin lest he is held responsible for it, but not with making him stop against his will. People who disagree with the Rick and the Catholic church can be certain that Rick will not try to take away their right to contracept or abort or any other right we are guaranteed in the constitution, like smoke or indulge in any destructive act, allow guns to be carried by security guards who don't follow orders, or take Pills the FDA has labeled a Class 1 Carcinogen...He will be too busy ensuring that your rights are not eroded by politicians who are more easily swayed by the big dollar lobbyists in the FDA, Big Pharma, and AgriFood. Rick is the only candidate I have seen who has a <a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/rick_santorum.htm">long record</a> of following the rules...upholding our constitution. Take a look at the issues. They are much more clearly and intelligently stated than I could say it. But look. And look how long he has been fighting for our rights. Then compare him with <a href="http://aclj.org/obamacare/obamacare-supreme-court-day-two">this</a>, a president who says he is going to give you what you want, regardless of the constitutionality of what he wants to do. A president who told a representative from another country on <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/us/politics/obama-caught-on-microphone-telling-medvedev-of-flexibility.html">television </a>to "give him some room while his re-election is on", and then he can do what he wants. I still don't know exactly what Obama's angle is with Trayvon...I don't even care to guess what he means after election is over. His promises to Planned Parenthood. His promises to women. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I do not believe in abortion and I vote against it and sometimes hold signs. I think it is a life that is being destroyed and therefore not subject to death at the whim of its mother. If that changes in the future, it should be because of me and others like me. If we can make the issue popular enough that the court would be willing to hear the issue again and rule, well, thank-you God. But our President can not arbitrarily decide that it is or is not good for women. I choose not to use hormonal contraception either, but it is a right given to women in the constitution. And our government has just labeled it a carcinogen on the same level as tobacco. Will Obama be changing his mind on these and some other issues when the election is over and he has more leeway? Are you really willing to risk it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The only thing Rick Santorum is promising you is that he will uphold the constitution of the United States and your right to live as you see fit. The only real intelligent choice is one we are ensured of before hand. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-11821731100199219742012-03-24T11:41:00.000-07:002012-03-24T11:41:47.105-07:00Just immature...you be the judge?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am pretty sure this isn't what Jesus meant when he said, "Let the little children come to me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Our 18 year old just got his first job. He resisted it..."this is 2012, kids my age don't work." Yes, honey, if you were in all AP classes and doing volunteer work on the weekends, we would just hand you cash...but if you aren't even in school, I think it is a bad idea for parents to subsidize their kids play time. In our house it is an old argument. We have been more generous in our stance since he started working. And looking for an apartment. During the week, his friend ran out of gas and was his ride back to the apartment and to work. He asked for and I agreed to $5 for gas. At the convenient store, I picked up a coffee and got $5 cash. I hurried out so he had no opportunity to talk me into more. He was parked on the back fender of my car so he could talk to his dad...he does know how to work me! Another $5 later, for lunch, I wonder how he is able to do that...am I that weak. Or is he?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Today, it was his dad. I heard him talking to our son on the phone. "your mom made dinner and i would be happy to bring some to you. Yes, I know you are working...that's why I said I would bring it. Yes, I know I promised you a meatball hoagie, but I forgot it was Friday...I know you are not practicing your Catholicism, but I still don't feel right about it...I can get you tuna hoagie if you prefer." The second conversation went much the same. I grinned at my husband--maybe its not just me-- and was about to make a smart remark; until my phone immediately started vibrating in my pocket. I said, "its your son." He wanted to know why his father was treating him like that. I told him that if he chose to make his way in the world, he had to take care of himself. Yes, I understood that he was working and we even were OK with buying him a special lunch but we were not buying meatballs on Friday during Lent. If he wanted them, he or his girlfriend would have to get them...she had already offered. He said it wasn't his girlfriend's job to buy him dinner (to which I promptly agreed and thanked her) and he said it was his father's responsibility. I told my son that I was not going to buy it, and I would be upset with his father if he bought it. He wasn't practicing but was baptised Catholic. I told him as an adult, he was free to choose what customs he wanted to follow, but if he wanted something we didn't agree with, he or his girlfriend was free to buy his dinner. He said, "but I want dad to get it for me." </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sigh. I looked at Shawn, and he said, "its like Obamacare." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I think the reason Obama's mandated health care makes me so angry is that it is so similar to irresponsible teenager behavior. The only difference is by mandating we pay for it, there is no way to temper the behavior. I always believed that natural consequences would make teenagers become responsible young ladies and gentlemen, however, the older I get, the more I see well-meaning adults protecting their children from these consequences and the resulting tragedies that occur...up to and including death. The Catholic church has always taught that birth control was intrinsically evil. Further, hormonal birth control has an abortifacient aspect which the Church also discourages. And finally, there are proven negative health consequences for using them, regardless of the reason. This is the churches position since BC pills were first approved by the FDA for use and has not changed. In the 60 or so years since it was approved, the church has not changed its position, but the FDA has issued strong warnings, going so far as to label some of them pills as a class 1 carcinogen; on the same level as tobacco. Still, Obama would like to mandate the Catholic church to pay for such potentially lethal and elective drugs and procedures. The Catholic church, its millions of followers, and others who do not agree with the use of the drugs would all have to help pay for the individuals who choose to use them. Regardless of the consequences, the constitution of the United States allows the individuals to purchase potentially life threatening drugs. That doesn't make it right. And there is no such right to it. But making us help pay opens the door to us contributing to many other things that we do not agree with or want to support. That is what makes it so maddening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Further examples from this week. </span><a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lesbian-with-kids-in-catholic-school-demands-removal-of-catechism-quote-on"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lesbian with kids in the catholic school</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> demands removal of a quote that she felt offensive. She could have just taken her child out of the school, however, she felt that it was a good school and she wanted her daughter there. She just wanted to change it. She wanted a 2000 year old institution to change to make her feel more comfortable. In a similar story in recent weeks, a catholic woman returned to her hometown for her mother's funeral. She was in a long-standing relationship so one supposes she is not in a state of grace. She told the priest officiating and also that she was a practicing Buddhist and then presented herself for the Holy Eucharist...the body of Christ. The Priest was reprimanded for his actions....she was applauded. Is it only valid if you "stick it to the church." Makes you think this isn't so much about a person's right to choose, but a person's right to choose to go against the church and make them back down. It is a spiritual battle...not one we are likely to win in the courts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How about one a little closer to home...most of us have children. Planned Parenthood, an institution that has had arguably the most effect on our culture in the last century, has begun targeting younger and younger children with its message. They provide much of the literature for sex education in our school and they speak the language our children understand. They have begun spreading the message that "</span> <a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/planned-parenthood-speaker-good-parents-let-teens-have-sex-at-home">Good Parents let kids have sex at home</a>. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is no reason to stunt your sexual development...it is perfectly normal and healthy to have multiple partners even at the same time. Just do it safely. Your parents don't understand." Yes, we understand that you talk their language better than we do. We also understand that, like our bishops, we are going to fight back.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We will study the youth culture. We will learn the things you are up against, and we will remain or become relevant in your life. We will win you back.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We will set rules about important things and try not to back down when you test them. We will cry with you when you suffer from making a mistake, but will still love and support you, and live to see you in a happy relationship and raising a family of your own. We will be sad, if in fact, you don't make it but will pray that you embrace your faith, love God, and live happily with God forever. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We will not compromise our values. We try to espouse the values of the Catholic church...values that are tested over the course of centuries and not just a few decades...They are not whims of a few who have nothing to base them on except feelings; feelings that we know are only fleeting. We will hold your hand, support you, and love you. We know from living our own lives that it isn't easy...nothing important and good ever is. But it is true. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">And we will pray for you and our world. It really is a spiritual battle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>St Michael the archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil...</em></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-9951658357322217952012-03-19T11:07:00.001-07:002012-03-19T11:07:17.518-07:00Who's Your Daddy!?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its getting hard to think up clever titles for my blogs...Mostly, something will come to me and then I post it but I am afraid that I may be the only one following my logic. Sorry! Truly, you are probably just lucky to get a title. I usually forget, have to re post, and with my 45 minute blog time allocation, I just can't sweat the small stuff...titles, punctuation, spelling...coherent thoughts! Today's title came to me instantly...and I mean no disrespect. I am referring to Joseph, Jesus' earthly father. In case you didn't remember, like me until mass this morning, today is the feast day of St. Joseph. My husbands feast day. I wanted to make it special, so now I will have to scramble. We are having a rare frozen dinner, purchased by my husband :o) for dinner. Lasagna...maybe a little wine will make it more special! I have an idea for a gift that I have been wanting to try with the kids, so I will share that tomorrow...So there you have it. A forgotten saint day, a pulled together celebration, for a saint who never said one word in the bible! Did you know that? I didn't realize that until today. How does a man who never said a word that is recorded anywhere become a saint?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">St. Joseph's life tells us a few very important things about Sainthood.</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If God commands it, don't wait and think about it...react! At the start of Joseph's story in the bible, he is told an improbable story. His betrothed is pregnant with a boy who will be the savior of his people. No, Mary hasn't been with a man...take her into your home. How many of us would buy that one? Granted, he was visited by an angel, but really...And he listens to that angel over and over again, saving their lives many times. Has God ever asked you to do something? How did you react?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Jesus, in his adulthood, as Savior and King of the world was always respectful to Joseph and Mary. He is always obedient, even when he has to defy them to forward his heavenly father's agenda. When he performed his first miracle at the wedding, he claimed that his time wasn't ready. I wonder that he had an inkling what was coming and was not anxious to begin. However, he did it and changed the water into wine. Yes, I know he is God...but I think that he had to learn that obedience from his earthly father, too. He was having a good time with friends and family at the wedding. But he did something for his mother that he really didn't want to do. His father taught him to mind his mother. Obedience is important. It starts with your earthly parents and that enables you to discipline yourself to obey the church and God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pope Benedict said recently, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The lack of silence in contemporary society is making many people’s lives “more agitated and at times convulsed.”</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a society, we tend to talk too much. Without any words, however, St. Joseph was able to impact the King of Kings and make it into the bible to impact fathers everywhere. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I love this image of Joseph and Jesus. Jesus spent 3 years in his adult ministry. Other than the first years with his mother, Joseph is probably the person who spent the most time with Jesus. What an amazing gift... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tomorrow, I will share our St. Joseph activities and the gift for my husband. Its ok if he reads this because he is still waiting for his Christmas gifts and I am pretty sure he thinks I am bluffing...remember, honey...think, react, don't talk...Also, I am going to share an image for some cards I am making. I am thinking of putting them on etsy...anyone?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic Bunny Images by Kimberly Stewart @ Scrapbook Elements</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-12690937141018990462012-03-16T13:12:00.001-07:002012-03-16T13:12:39.586-07:00Having trouble relaxing...I heard smoking helps!!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's Spring Break, but I am convinced that is an oxymoron. I get that it is Spring, but it is still so cold. As for break, the kids will be more tired than usual...and me? It ain't no break! Rather than listen to, "what are we going to do now?" we have had one activity after an other. Six Flags, Ft. Worth Zoo, swimming at Keller Pointe, and lots and lots of games on the soccer field/backyard...It has been a frenzy of activity and I am going to have to put them to bed tonight early so they can start getting ready for school on Monday. Actually, I am lying. The weather has been great...a little cloudy, but we really need any rain we can get. But its warm. I have been feeling poorly, but while my meds do their work, Shawn has taken a weeks vacation to help me with my work. As I sit here typing with my coffee I am feeling pretty satisfied about having put some clothes away and reloading the dishwasher. That would be the truth. But didn't my carrying on about how hard it is to be sick and trying to take care of 11 children make a much better story...I mean, who is going to cheer if we say that the house is respectable, laundry caught up, and the family is going to hang out at Six Flags today. That isn't how it is supposed to be with a family with 11 children.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riders at six flags over tx</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The whole truth isn't something that we look for or even want to hear. How often when we ask an acquaintance "hey, how are you doing?" do we not even slow down for an answer? And we are often granted our wish. Most people get their information from the news. I think that we may have some grand idea that the news media takes an oath of sorts and there is purchase in illuminating the masses. There isn't! In fact, a newspaper who puts all of its money in spreading the truth will usually find itself in financial difficulties while papers who spread gossip and lies will fly off the market shelf or receive more clicks on the Internet. Maybe the truth really does hurt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">In the past week, we have heard from a woman at a congressional hearing who claims to be a poor student who is in fact an advocate of the abortion industry. <a href="http://rightsoftheunborn.blogspot.com/2012/03/sandra-fluke-is-fake.html">This excellent article</a> is one of many that exposes Miss Flukes lies and hints at her true agenda. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Fluke">Wikipedia</a> kindly cites her as reporting at an "unofficial congressional hearing" while other bloggers have written that it was an interview made to appear like an official hearing. She promoted her own agenda citing only anecdotal evidence...for example, a friend who needs to have birth control pills to cure her poly cystic ovary syndrome. However, the best treatment for women with this syndrome are dietary changes geared toward weight loss, higher fiber, and exercise. Not a pill that is labeled as a Group 1 carcinogen. Feds "massively" studied <a href="http://womensenews.org/story/medicine/021223/feds-label-estrogen-known-carcinogen">this fact</a> before "recently" calling out the fact that estrogen (the Pill) could be harming women. This was reported by several talk-show hosts at EWTN, and WHO has claimed the pill could be harmful <a href="http://gerardnadal.com/2012/02/15/world-health-organization-data-on-birth-control-pill-and-estrogen-replacement-carcinogenicity/">since 2005</a>; actually has it on the list as a Group 1 carcinogen for 2012. Why would anyone who claims to be "For Women" not look for non-carcinogenic options prior to advising a pill, or worse, writing a prescription for it. Fluke helped Obama make his mandate palatable to a huge group of women, but ultimately it, like hormonal birth control and abortion, hurt women. Maybe his agenda isn't ultimately health care?</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I got into an, um, heated discussion on some site yesterday. Texans are really struggling right now. As many of you probably know, Governor Perry chose not to continue funding Planned Parenthood here in TX. TX PP has been under investigation for criminal activity, medicaid fraud, and other activities that are supposed to be frowned upon. President Obama said he would discourage any state who limited PP health care initiatives by making said state ineligible for federal health care money. In the heated discussion, participants began talking about a "news" article about a young woman who had many health issue that prohibited her from trying to get pregnant. It also told a sad story about how Gov. Perry's prejudice makes it impossible for her to get to the clinic where she can get her depo provera shot. She wound up in the hospital with incredibly high blood pressure and pregnant with a baby that likely has birth deformities from her lack of medical care and the drugs she was taking. Um, really...first of all, if I was so sick that my life would be in jeopardy, I would abstain...really. And I am sure that my husband would agree. NO ONE has ever died from lack of sex...but many have from imprudent sex. That said, I would investigate free and safe methods of preventing conception. That counsel would seem to be very pro-woman. I think that the Catholic Church has it right, but we don't always want to hear the truth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Are we are so stuck on a woman's right to have sex when she wants it regardless of the cost--even if it costs her whole life. Are we so willing to climb aboard Barack Obama's Freedom Train Mandate...even at the risk of losing true freedom. Know the whole truth before you commit. </span><br />
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</table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-54749458785442927012012-03-09T12:00:00.001-08:002012-03-09T12:00:31.633-08:00Head, Shoulder, Ab-do-min...everything but your, um, spirit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSXspK9nqOkW5vhFykFKGJm9UCY9TMotWAKH4okkDS9GhybgMoCakZSHwynoRUG1ySI8FUAaz_H89ztwYaqU6DcyN9RbshEtoPwrXKP_O3yhHwJTq6Y2hsmixcRSc3ws4CUH2Kjf9GIY/s1600/science+fair+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSXspK9nqOkW5vhFykFKGJm9UCY9TMotWAKH4okkDS9GhybgMoCakZSHwynoRUG1ySI8FUAaz_H89ztwYaqU6DcyN9RbshEtoPwrXKP_O3yhHwJTq6Y2hsmixcRSc3ws4CUH2Kjf9GIY/s640/science+fair+002.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Nico</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My 7 year old son called my mom yesterday..."grandma, did you really make my mom take Shakey-Poo to school?" In between laughter I heard my mother say, "So its science fair time again, huh!!" Even as a 1st grader, I KNEW that shaking oil and water together, putting it in a cute container, and giving it a cute name does not a science experiment make. I have spent years making my mother relive my humiliation of shakey-poo. When she doesn't seem properly sympathetic, I call my sister, who had to bring similar experiments in. It only got worse when my own children had to begin entering their own Science Fairs. I would have happily forgot each year, but along came Tina. SHE loves science and doesn't believe anything labeled Shakey Poo counts as an experiment. My older kids have grown up with the Shakey-Poo story but my new 7 have missed that golden opportunity...Antoine opened the door when he rejected making a lapbook for his science experiment. He was doing a combined science experiment with his 4th grade brother. In fact, rather than do 5 experiments, most of my elementary kids shared 1 experiment and Tina, of course, did her own. Of the 4 that shared, only 2 had to turn in a deliverable. James, as the oldest, got to turn it on the fancy big board, but I wanted Antoine to have an opportunity to turn a small project in as well. But I got was an enormous fit... "All the kids will laugh at me!!" Actually, by the time we finished he was so excited about his project he comes home and asks everyday if he can make another one!! I LOVE lapbooks. I am definitely going to go there for homeschooling. When I asked if any of the children laughed, he blushed (have you ever seen a black kid blush before!?) and said no. Then I told him about Shakey Poo, and he had to call grandma to ask!!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nene and Ant with his ant lapbook</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James prepares his own ant presentation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Combined with Science Fair, we had the Kindergarten stage presentation. The kids put on a great show and had to dress up as what they want to be when they grow up...Nicolette decided to she was going to be a doctor and has been treating us to (interestingly enough) the ant song, sung to the tune of head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes...head, thorax, ab-do-min...its been an ant week here at the Murphy Home! Sadly, we had cold weather and could not entice any ants out when we needed them, but we learned why and how they hibernate...maybe procrastination was my mom's problem too...oh, well, alls well and we did not have to resort to shakey poo, which I still consider child abuse...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I got the idea for the lapbook while investigating homeschool options. I have heard about lapbooks for years and decided to make one to use up some copies I had made of the new mass responses that I downloaded from <a href="http://catholicicing.com/2011/11/new-mass-responses-booklet-for-kids-free-to-print/">Catholic Icing</a>. We had a great time and they were absolutely adorable. What do y'all think of the new language. I want to use it all the time!! "how are you holly...I'm good...and with your spirit ;o)"</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nene and nico cut paper...strong finger muscles!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kiki, nico, nene, and T cut and paste and make messes...yeah, we would be great homeschoolers!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Luckily, I will have all next week to practice...LOVELOVELOVE Spring Break...Course next week I will be writing to you about the excellent Catholic School we have here... so how goes your spirit!!</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-75872692629233086302012-03-07T12:50:00.004-08:002012-03-07T12:51:27.748-08:00Bishop Van and the big tushie...er, fish<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I find mass very relaxing...in fact, I try to go every day. Last week I had a great day at Mass. The priest was discussing Jonah and great fish...didn't you always think it was a whale...who knew. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jonah and the really big fish. Anyway, when I started teaching kindergarten CCD back when Matt was a tot, I learned what ADHD was, big time. I think each of my children with one exception had it. When we blew through all of my planned activities in record time, I pulled out a children's bible. We started with Jonah...I mean who could not like that story. They were rapt...they took in every word. They laughed when they realized Jonah was going to hide from God; he didn't know God was like a mommy...we had such fun. And when Jonah was spit out of the whale, well, I was definitely the best story teller. I still have kids making the sound of Jonah being spit out of the whale--phfut!! When I still had roughly half the class left, we decided to play a game...Jonah, Jonah, Whale, was born. We still play it to this day...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">What the children loved, as do I, is the way that Jonah tries to hide from God. No matter what he did, God took him, via Whales mouth, right to where he was supposed to be. He did it for Jonah, who was afraid to do what he needed to do. But he did it for the people as well...so they didn't need to be smote. Great story, great lesson, good times. We could learn alot from Jonah. Also from the people, though I believe they actually had to be smote. We don't easily learn our lessons...we keep repeating, like the people of Nineveh did. As soon as they learned their lesson, they saw that our Loving Father forgived and so they kept sinning until, Smote. I actually met someone yesterday who uses smote in regular conversation. She came to my house looking for her grandson. She talked to me quite a bit. I suspect she was trying to save me from the fascist Catholic Church. She obviously didn't know who she was talking to and since I am acquainted with her grandson, I decided to keep talking. Then when she said "smote" out loud in regular conversation, well, I was just pleased to hear it! I told her...I suspect she thinks I am crazy. I had to laugh. I talk to people daily online about religion. The only people I have to talk to about religion in real life are my kids...I suspect they think I am crazy as well. As I sat in church, I was wondering why can't we all just get a long. Why is it so hard. Jesus came 2000 years ago and said, right out, this is my catholic church. This is the head of my church. He clearly wanted us to remain one, catholic and apostolic church. Don't people who broke away realize that it is only our disobedience...our sin nature. Our unwillingness to follow direction. Why can't we just all pull together to take care of this Obama situation. Even Catholics are split...evidently there are Catholics who believe in a feminist agenda. I was reading National Catholic Reporter and was shocked to hear some of the opinions...I may have to split my time between there and Yahoo!!</span><br />
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I have been thinking quite a bit about obedience. I love the children going to school. I get sooooo tired. But with the things going on in our public school system and with the things going on in health care, I suspect soon I will be very dissatisfied with it. I have prayed a lot about homeschooling...probably because if I am not sure that is what He wants me to do, then I can just say "i wasn't sure." I suspect that is just MY sin nature rearing its ugly head. As I was starting to go up for communion after hearing about Jonah, I saw a woman with her two daughters. It was the first Friday of the month and we get a lot of homeschoolers on First Friday's. These particular women were wearing a lace head covering...even the girls. The youngest girl was wearing an old formal dress over another longer one. Very unattractive. That is the problem with homeschooling. There is a portion of catholic homeschoolers that just take things to the extreme...its so judgemental and unwelcoming. Maybe I should just keep the kids in school. <br />
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<strong>Well swallow me whole and spit me our, Phfut...</strong><br />
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<em>Father, protect me from my sin nature...Help me to see that there are people everywhere, like me and unlike me...all who love you or don't know You as You are. Perhaps they have only seen the ugly in us. Allow me to show only love and tolerance when articulating Your words. Help us to be one Church united in your love...</em><br />
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The best thing about Jesus' church...and our Heavenly Father, is his forgiving and merciful nature...<br />
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQVvbmSMjAwL6XTeeDQpFPG8aas-CZ8RdleblL8_Xo6uCvzFTprNXU1qUIu6PMG9jEjPFASnHHb7ZBmkZKUT9YsiO5vqKA-VY1HB0_B4986xpDxU9OXcuLlNWRZXs5PiJIysHDjiHvGE/s1600/picture+with+bishop+van+2012+perfect+if+eveyone+fit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQVvbmSMjAwL6XTeeDQpFPG8aas-CZ8RdleblL8_Xo6uCvzFTprNXU1qUIu6PMG9jEjPFASnHHb7ZBmkZKUT9YsiO5vqKA-VY1HB0_B4986xpDxU9OXcuLlNWRZXs5PiJIysHDjiHvGE/s400/picture+with+bishop+van+2012+perfect+if+eveyone+fit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop Van...I think he is still laughing. Long time since he has been called My Tushie...</td></tr>
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We had a service with the kids who will be joining the church this Easter...Bishop Van was in attendance so I was trying to make the kids understand how important he is and how to be respectful. I told the baby girls they should say, "Good Afternoon, Your Excellency." and to curtsy...Nicolette tried, God love her, but somehow that sort of morphed into an awkward bow and a "Your Welcome, My Tushie..." Sigh...thank Goodness for confession...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-8416238962259676922012-03-04T19:30:00.001-08:002012-03-04T19:30:22.333-08:00A Sincere Apology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I posted a photo last weekend. In my zeal to save babies, I sometimes don't think about the people I can hurt. The photo I posted Friday was an example of one of those times. I generally don't make racial remarks about my children. They do tease me for calling myself an angry black woman...3 of them are bi-racial and I counter that since my father is from Haiti and my mother's mother was from Barbados and came over on Ellis Island where they counted anyone from the Islands as Black. I figured that made me, you know, whatever more than bi-racial is...3/4. My full black children disagreed and said I am white...We laugh because they say that Mariah is white, too. You have to be really black in this family to talk...but I digress. Anyway, we talk about race here a lot. However, the title of my photo was in fact the name of one of Margaret Sangors Eugenic papers--Sangor was the founder of Planned Parenthood. I kindof felt like that described us--immigrants, blacks, and one lone native american we pretty much fit the description of the people she wanted to eliminate. My husband very gently reminded me that other people, like specifically him, our children, and pretty much anyone else in the world, don't actually read Margaret Sangor's work. Who knew...That said, we decided to avoid hurt feelings, misunderstanding, and any other unpleasantness and to remove my picture. So sorry! Here is the one we replaced it with. Hope you like it...</span><br />
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Have a great weekend, and again, my sincere apologies.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3824591673763569369.post-24506101950555836542012-02-28T17:29:00.000-08:002012-02-28T17:29:54.482-08:00Old MacDonald had an....auto-immune disease?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So another doctors appointment yesterday and there was good news and bad news. Good news: the huge lump on my neck is not cancer or a goiter...pro-life values be-damned...if i ever get a goiter, I'm checking out. But I digress...Bad news: I have a sore throat and my lymph nodes are swollen and they are putting me on lifetime antibiotics, or at least for 6 months to a year. Really, isn't that what they do to the cows, just before they kill them. Don't worry about that fecal matter your are standing in, Bossie...we got a shot for that!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bossie, its all over now!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I had thought about writing some of this for my blog, but felt that it is all in TMI territory. I will share with you my kids lives, my political and pro-life rants, but this just seems kindof personal. And unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Then I read this blog article on one of my <a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/2012/the-deception-of-marketing-and-media/">favorite blogs</a>, and copied down these interesting facts:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">24% of women would sacrifice 3 years of their life to be thin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Girls as young as five have expressed fears of getting fat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">90% of high school junior and senior girls diet regularly even though only between 10-15% are considered overweight.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">None of this seems remarkably interesting. I am sorry that girls and women like to compare ourselves to others. So what...its not earth shattering. I personally have stopped posing for pictures and looking in mirrors, shopping only when necessary. I was a thin kid. I always wanted to be thinner. I also knew that, on a scale of 1-10, my complaints were not even on the scale. My skin was good, too...don't hate me because I was beautiful :o) </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was one happy chick, back in the day!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Things change. It doesn't matter that I exercise or not. It doesn't matter when I eat good or make poor choices. At all...Sometime after my marriage, it all started to go down hill. Don't blame my husband--I actually did at first!! Wondered if I was allergic to him. I mean begin to get acne in my mid-twenties after never having had an issue. The only thing that had changed was my husband...he was suspect number one!! It wasn't that, oh my husband loves me for me and not my face...body...fill in the blank. I personally suspect my husband loves me for my mind, but that's just me. It wasn't anything I could define, but after meeting Shawn, it all started to go down hill. Right before we were engaged, I needed to go to the hospital for breathing treatments. Asthma, it turned out. Well duh, I was a heavy smoker and no asthma is going to stop me. Even the doctor treating me with a breathing treatment in the hospital stuck his cigarette on my tray table while he checked me...it was the 80's people...smoking was still cool. The night we got engaged, Shawn actually came to take me out for dinner but I was so sick from all the medecine. I declined and he was forced to get down on his knees in my mom's living room...ok, he didn't but he was supposed. We are still fighting about that!! Then I had some trouble driving...really tired in the afternoon. I put it down to the weight that crept on...But I had to drive for work. I quit. Depression...I am such a slug. And I don't even care. Then my eye went crazy...I went blind in one eye while on vacation in Ca. Optic neuritis...not so bad but the treatment was my first experience with prednisone...yuck! The doctor said, its no big deal. Six months later it happened in the other eye...this time the doctor recommended I see my physician. Well, you know that was Bossie time again! My doctor played it off...she does not believe in drama...yeah, it might be indicative of some things, but I am sure you are fine. Fast forward...after two rounds of prednisone, I was starting to look like Bossie. But a remarkable thing happened. My best friend in the world was diagnosed and consequently died from cancer. Sometime in the process, I began running 3 miles every day. It didn't help with my weight, but definitely with my mood. After Anne died...the next week in fact, I had to call my doctor. I was having some kind of seizures and it effected my handwriting...At class that week, I locked myself in the library at Marywood and by the end of the day had diagnosed myself with Multiple Sclerosis. I told myself Anne had died...if it was just a chronic disease with no cure, I was way ahead of the game. It was, and I was, and another round of prednisone in retrospect was no big deal. But it was life changing. We decided to get agressive if we wanted to have children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">16 years later, and nothing has changed...except I am too tired to run anymore. I tried swimming. It wasn't great. After the kids, I had reletively few exacerbations. I was lucky. With my last one before I left PA, I was introduced to IV steriods, or the aldo novo treatments as I called them...you see, luckily, my brain is the last thing to go. I worry daily about my ability to retain knowledge. Early Altziemers...maybe. Grandma's a bit mad. I have encouraged my children to let me go and ignore the bad temper as much as possible. They just ignore me. Last Christmas I had Bells Palsy, a very unattractive design. I just keep smiling and thinking, God...I cannot lose the weight from PA and I am barely moving at all. How do I take care of these kids...This round of prednisone was no weight change at all. I only know this because, after having Shawn remove all the scales in the house, I had him bring one in...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What was different? I was not exercizing at all. Too tired to even move. Whole food? That was the only change...could it matter that much?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Last summer, I read enough information on whole food from this book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unhealthy-Truth-Food-Making-About/dp/0767930711">The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O'Brien</a>, that we went completely organic. Even with 11 children (and a few who resist still anything that doesn't have a Walmart label on it) our grocery bill, which was already high, did not go up. In fact, I am pretty sure it is lower. And I don't have to feed them every two hours. And our behavior is better. But something else I had read was that with all the genetically altered there was much that was untested and, even with the ones that were, results were negative or incunclusive. These types of foods that I have been raising my family on, and that I ate regularly, when a newly wed and all through college, are found to cause all types of problems. I will try and find some facts to fill you in, but the point of my sadness today was the increase in autoimmune disease. I wonder if this is, in fact, the source of my MS...I believe, as well, that I have an impaired thyroid...a thyroid that has autoimmune antibodies in it...All the horrible side effects I have had for 25 years...junk food?</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I feel so sheepish...</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03067663076455169586noreply@blogger.com0