Right On!

A homeschooling mom’s bumper-sticker answer to the question “What about socialization?”...

Homeschoolers:
Civilized, not Socialized

HT: Young Ladies Christian Fellowship

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Greetings on this beautiful day!

This day is so alive, so beautiful. All the flowering trees are in perfect bloom, reminding me of last year's post at this time! I can hear the chirping of birds outside and feel the carress of a gentle breeze through the open window next to me. And the sun is simply pouring down from the bluest of blue skies. How I love spring! What a gift from our brilliantly artistic Creator.

The past 14 days have been so full. So often I struggle with the delicate balance of things...if I could choose what I "would like" to do, it would be almost continually writing the posts - and series - for this blog that are ever-forming in my head! But alas, so often duties call my name. Like now... Mom is calling for lunch.

So I leave you with some terrific wisdom from Chesterton:

"Feminists are those who cannot stand female characteristics."

"...it (feminism) is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands."

Blessings on your day!

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One Year

It was exactly one year ago today that I started blogging. I almost missed the "anniversary"! My prayer is that I've been able to "be a light" here this year, and by the grace of God, may continue to be with increasing trust and faithfulness.

"Our Lord does not call us to be successful, but only to be faithful." (Mother Teresa)

Please feel free to leave a comment or email me if you have any encouragement for me, or suggestions for how to make this blog a more faithful tool for God's glory, or topics or questions you would like to see addressed, or feedback on post themes that may or may not have been helpful to you... this little space is not intended to be merely a personal "journal", or place to "vent", but hopefully a blessing and encouragement for myself and others to remain faithful on our individual calls to holiness. Any and all prayers/suggestions to help me keep focused on that goal are welcome!

Soli Deo Gloria!

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From Papa for Easter

“My Lord and my God!” We too renew that profession of faith of Thomas. I have chosen these words for my Easter greetings this year, because humanity today expects from Christians a renewed witness to the resurrection of Christ; it needs to encounter him and to know him as true God and true man. If we can recognize in this apostle the doubts and uncertainties of so many Christians today, the fears and disappointments of many of our contemporaries, with him we can also rediscover with renewed conviction, faith in Christ dead and risen for us. This faith, handed down through the centuries by the successors of the Apostles, continues on because the risen Lord dies no more. He lives in the church and guides it firmly towards the fulfillment of his eternal design of salvation.

- From Pope Benedict's Easter Sunday Address

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Surrexit Christus, Alleluia!

Even though it might not feel like Easter outside, perhaps the winterlike weather is our Lord reminding us that no matter what the exterior circumstances, we still have reason to rejoice!

Let the Alleluias ring!

...

In Corde Matris

The following was one of the reflections I penned after experiencing "The Passion of the Christ" for the first time three years ago...

This Triduum, may we unite ourselves intimately with Mary, to suffer the Passion with her.

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To the Mother

What were you thinking, Mary

on that age-awaited day?

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

you heard His people say

What were you thinking, Mary
as their whips tore through your Son?
Our sins of flesh atoned for
by the One guilty of none


The innocent, the spotless One
Your precious baby Son
You gave Him up, and offered Him…
to die for everyone


What were you thinking, Mary
as they mocked the Kings of Kings?
“Ecce Homo…Behold the Man!”
On cold deaf ears it rings


What were you thinking, Mary
when Pilate called for water?
It was the spotless Lamb of God
they were about to slaughter


The innocent, the guiltless One
Your precious baby Son
You gave Him up, and offered Him…
to die for everyone


What were you thinking, Mary
as He embraced the tree?
Those beams He would first carry
and be nailed to then, for me


What were you thinking, Mary,
when in the road at your feet
Your little boy fell down in the dust
and your eyes were able to meet?


Your mother’s love went out to Him
Your mother’s hands ached to hold Him
Your mother’s heart beat One with His
as you looked at your precious Son


Your mind went back so many years
to the infant Son you held near
And as your tear-filled eyes sought His
His own told you not to fear…


What were you thinking, Mary
as each nail was firmly pounded?
Each sin of mine wielding that hammer
while each clang in your heart resounded


You stood at his feet as He gave his life
Each soul to redeem and save
Your Son looked down, and then these souls
To you as children He gave


Your mother’s ears heard His prayer for them
who nailed your heart there with Him
Your mother’s heart beat One with His
as you saw the price paid for sin


What were you praying, Mary
as in your arms lay your Son?
Your mother’s heart beat close to His
pierced, now still…the work was done


This Child Whom you were given
Your precious baby Son
You gave Him up, and offered Him…
to die…and live…for everyone

by Claire J.M. Halbur, April 2004
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Homeschool Blog Awards

This is a neat thing going here! I think these kind of "blog awards" can serve as a great reminder for us to strive for Christlike excellence. There certainly are some gems on the nomination list, and many wonderful catergories! Check it out here.

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Powerful

Well, I am usually not a rap person at all, but a friend emailed this link today and this is quite a powerful pro-life movie...a good example of how to "take back" the media for the cause of truth!

Click here to watch "Happy Birthday"...

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Meditation on Psalm 96:9

I just saw this on the new blog Heroic Simplicity and found it too good not to share!

"Worship the Lord in Holy Attire"

Are you clad to greet the King

In holy modest and neat attire?

Are you dressed that you may sing

Along with the angelic choir,

Or are your clothes a desecration

Meant for picnic or for beach

Or other forms of recreation?

Your clothing is stark evidence

Of what is in your heart and mind.

Does it reflect your reverence,

Present you as a soul refined

Radiant, joyful and duly graced,

A soul prepared to meet its God

From whom all stain has been erased?

Then come, dear soul, with us rejoice

In this house, this holy place,

Praising God with heart and voice

In raiment radiant with His grace

And greet with us the King of Kings,

Our Lord, Our Savior, the Holy One

From Whom all hope forever springs!

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The Great Doctor Says It All

Today's quote..."Love takes up where knowledge leaves off."

- Saint Thomas Aquinas

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Return to the Heart

The past days have been full of contemplation. And one day this week, a specific thought came to me when contemplating our need, as members of the Body of Christ, for "Spiritual Power Stations".

We can be likened to the bloodstream, or "lifestream" of the human body: we have a job, a purpose, a calling to be bearers of life and nourishment, to attend to the needs of the rest of the Body. And yet, if we go on our merry way and fail to return to the heart, we will soon be useless.

Yes, we are called to "scatter", if you will... to be as salt and light, reaching far and wide to proclaim the Gospel. We are called to carry life to the entire body. But this precisely why we need "Spiritual Power Stations". Adoration. Community. Retreats. We need to draw from the Source: both from Christ Himself, and from the powerhouse of union with fellow believers.

We need times to reconnect. To rejuvenate. To be refortified to again go out and remain faithful to our calling as salt, as light, as bearers of life. We need spiritual "reoxidization", or else our flavor may go flat, the light we're striving to carry become dim, the nourishment we're seeking to offer grow scarce. Because we are called to give -- but we have to receive from the Source before we can give anything.

We need to return to the heart.

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Nebraska/Iowa Trip in Photos, Part 4

Ascending the podium at the Omaha Tea



Our Lady gracing the resource table in Omaha

Modesty Recourse Guides, CDs, Tracts, and Coloring Books...among rose petals :)

Me with Fr. Cook, the wonderful supportive pastor of St. Peter's in Omaha

Some of the terrific young men servers at the Omaha Tea

Our fourth-cousin Jacob, pouring tea for the ladies

Augustine with his beautiful mama

Me with the lovely ladies who planned and organized the Omaha Tea -

God bless them!

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Nebraska/Iowa Trip in Photos, Part 3

A charming table beautifully set for the Omaha Tea

A few of the Omaha guests...including some "pink sisters"!

Veronica enjoying little Augustine

Madelin, making a pretty picture!

"Enjoying your tea, miss?"

Getting a great big hug from a sweet young lady

Claire and Augustine (isn't he a doll?)

Reach for the light!

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Nebraska/Iowa Trip in Photos, Part 2

Interview with Omaha's Spirit Catholic Radio (Wed.)

What a joy it was to be a part of this truly Catholic media outreach. I just loved how they had a chapel attached to their studio, with a plaque reading "Jesus Christ: C.E.O." outside the door!

Some of the magnificent artwork which graced the walls and rooms of the studio

A beautiful wall-hanging in one of the guestrooms in which we stayed

A hat tree at a Tea!

It was a great treat to stay for part of the trip with some wonderful relatives! Here is our darling little fourth-cousin, Augustine (after the airplane view, Veronica took the most pictures of him...but I can't blame her!)

Handsome gentlemen, John Paul and Ambrose! (also our fourth cousins)

A spread of food at the Omaha Tea

Hmm...for those of you who gave up sweets for Lent, this should make your sacrifice a little greater :)

Doesn't everything look scrumptious...and beautiful?

Cuteness personified: a tiny maiden in a precious outfit

Don't you love the one-shoe-on-and-one-shoe-off?

Me with sweet Madelin -- relishing meeting each other after writing letters for two years!

A tableful of lovely teacups

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Nebraska/Iowa Trip in Photos, Part 1

A view from the airplane window on the way there: captured by Veronica

Another view...captured by Veronica

View 3 (if you think this is a lot, she took 77 photos on the plane ride...I was asleep and she got a little camera happy!)

I have to admit, though -- she did get some good ones.

How peaceful and beautiful everything looks from way up there!

It's a view God must have all the time :)

Fluffy clouds and blueness colliding with snowy whiteness

Visiting with young ladies of the Wynot Religious Education Program (Wed.), while others sign my book

Much to our (pleasant) surprise, not just the elementary but the teen girls were grabbing up our "Princess of Pure Love" coloring books!

A set "tea table" in Wynot (Thurs.)

Ladies arriving at the Wynot Tea

One of our dear hostesses, cleaning up after a Tea

...and her sweet daughters!

Resource table in Wynot

Our Lady, Mystical Rose, adorning my resource table accompanied by a beautiful stained glass candleholder from Ladybug Lights

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God is Good...Part 2

I have to share with you a few of the beautifully encouraging yet also humbling comments I received last week in the book I carry with me everywhere I speak...

"Dear Claire, You are great! Thank you for this speech!"

-Olivia (Elementary student)

"KEEP IT UP!"

- April (Elementary student)

"Thank you so much -- you are very inspiring."

- Ashley (Teen from Wynot, NE)

"I love how you aren't afraid to stand out!"

- Nicolette (Teen from Wynot, NE)

"Thanks so much for a great night!"

- Julie (Hartington, NE)

"Dear Claire, I think you are wonderful!"

- Teresa (age 8)

"What a beauty you are and thank you for listening to the Father and following Him. You are a joy."

- Nancy (Sat Bluff, IA)

"You're such a good person, I respect you so much for being who you are and for following God's will, also doing as God intends for people to do and how people are supposed to be."

- Staci (age 15)

"Absolutely fabulous!"

- Suzanne (Omaha, NE)

"Thank you! I wish I'd brought 20 people!"

- Rose (Omaha, NE)

And there were many more touching spoken comments, too...such as the lady who drove two hours to one of the Teas and told me "It was totally worth it!". And the sweet 16-year-old who said "You're nineteen? I've never met a nineteen-year-old this nice!"

But best of all was the dear 8-year-old maiden who whispered in my ear after we prayed together before a shrine of our Lady...

"I prayed to be like you".

Oh Lord, I am not worthy! Indeed, how sweet it is to be an instrument in Your hands. To You alone be the Glory!

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God is Good...All the Time

I hardly know where or how to begin. This is one of those times when words, wonderful as they are, hardly seem adequate. I can honestly and simply say that this week has been one of --if not the most -- grace-filled of my life.

As I wrote in my journal flying home tonight... "Who am I, Lord, that you should use me?".

Every moment of this trip, this "mission", was so clearly planned, directed, and cared for by an omnipotent Father, holding us gently and securely in the palm of His hand. One can only gaze with wonder and awe as His workings. One can only marvel at His goodness...all the time! What sweetness to surrender as His instrument. He will, indeed, never be outdone in generosity.

And the souls, the beautiful souls that I encountered this week have left an indelible imprint on me. All the people we stayed with were so very gracious, so very selfless! And our Guardian Angels were terrific. Which brings me to the Friday night story...

It was about 9pm at the home of the dear couple I was staying with in Sioux City (Veronica was back in Omaha with another family for that night). The carbon monoxide detector in their basement began to go off. They almost ignored it, because apparently it had been acting up recently. But Mrs. V. didn't feel quite right about it, so she called up the service place/control center (or whatever those places are called!) and they sent out a rep. to test the levels. Well...it turned out that a normal reading was a 10 on his machine, and in their basement he got a 250. And the guestroom, where I was to be, was... in the basement. So to make a long story short -- Mrs. V. and I ended up at a completely different house that night! All I could do was keep praising God that she had called the place...because if not, and I had gone to sleep down there... I may not have been there the next morning.

I will have some more follow-up tomorrow...I would now, but my eyes are drooping!

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Travels Day 5

Yesterday's events with the Omaha Catholic Homeschool Association were blessed and beautiful. It was such a joy to meet so many wonderful families, and to marvel at the organization of this organization with 300 of them! They were so very gracious, even letting me sing with the choir for the Mass. :) And the little maidens were just delightful.

I then traveled here, to Sioux City, IA, last evening for our Tea here today. I'm short on time at the moment, but perhaps at some point you may get the story of last night's adventure (no, they don't seem to be over yet!)

And if anyone is interested, you can access online the Spirit Catholic Radio interview that aired yesterday (mp3 format).

Remain with Him...and keep those prayers coming!

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Friday Activities!

Okay, it's not quite "tomorrow morning", but I wanted to wait until everything tomorrow
(Friday) was confirmed. Here's the info:

Omaha Catholic Homeschool Association Monthly Mass and Gathering
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
5419 N 114th St.
Omaha, NE 68164

Holy Mass: 11:00am

12:00-12:45pm: "Lunch with Miss Claire"
During lunch, Claire will speak for maidens ages 6-10

12:45-1:45pm and 1:45-2:45pm: Workshops sessions
During the "Fun Friday" workshop sessions, as a complimenting activity to Miss Claire’s lunchtime talk, young ladies of all ages are invited to participate in “Magdalena’s Hair Salon”! Girls will have the chance for some informal discussion and bonding “girl-time” while learning about the art of French-braiding and feminine hair-dos, and can have their hair done by Miss Claire.

Questions contact Denise at at (402) 502-1347.

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The Modesty Survey

For anyone who may have been at my talk in Wynot this evening, this is for you. :) Well, not exclusively for you -- but because I mentioned and quoted from reponses to The Rebelution's Modesty Survey, I promised some of you I would post the link for your convenience. When I get home and can update my website, I will also try to remember and post it up there for you, too.

Click here to visit The Modesty Survey.

Blessings!

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