Family Prayer

A friend sent us this wonderful quote in an email today...

"Hence, with parents leading the way by example and family prayer, their children—indeed, all within the family circle—will find it easier to make progress in natural virtues, in salvation and in holiness. Husband and wife, raised to the dignity and the responsibility of parenthood, will be zealous in fulfilling their task as educators, especially in the sphere of religious education, a task that is primarily their own."

-from the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes

Into the Land of Fairy Tales...

My goddaughter Amanda (er...excuse me, Rose), and my sister Veronica had the time of their lives the other night with a Fairy Tale Novel-themed sleepover. Such laughs! I would post some of the (numerous) photos I took of them here, but since they did a duo post from "Blanche and Rose" over at Amanda's blog, I'll just send you over there. :)

(I didn't take this one—Sarah did— but it's one of my favorites from their "event"!)

Like Saint Gianna

Fox News: A Mother Gives Her Life to Save Her Unborn Baby

The deepest form of the essence of motherhood... the complete giving of ones' self to give life to another. So powerful and beautiful.

Remembering the Little Ones

A year ago today I blogged from a computer in Washington, D.C. the day after the March for Life. What a blessed experience that was for our whole family! I very much wanted to go again this year, but it seems our Lord wanted me praying from here. And praying I've been, as I plug away at plenty of duties!

The splendidness of the March is as fresh in my mind as if it were a few weeks and not a year ago that I was there. It was invigorating and exciting... so many of us united for the sake of the innocent voiceless. It is indeed a day to let our voice be heard. And yet, it is also a day to interiorly remember and mourn for these littlest ones with silence.

I've heard it rightly said that a mother's womb should be the safest haven on earth. And, in the name of choice, it has become one of the most dangerous.

Let us never cease praying the working for a day when all life will be revered and protected, from the very littlest to the very oldest.

His Thoughts

After Huckabee barely missed the win many of us hoped for in South Carolina yesterday, I opened my Bible during night prayer last night and happened upon the following verse...

"Now many nations are assembled against you...

But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD,

they do not understand his plan..."

And indeed, how frequently we don't understand His plan (though we think we do). This race is far from over. We have our own hopes and evaluations of how things need to "work out". At times, it may seem as though the nation is assembled against us :), but in reality the thoughts and plans of Christ surpass any we have. Our God is a God of suprises. And of mystery. And of twists and turns in the road. And of power... power that will ultimately prevail if we trust Him enough.

Enjoy this beautiful Sunday! (That is, I'm assuming it's as lovely by you as it is here: very crisp and cold, but sparklingly beautiful, with sunshine turning brilliant the little layer of snow on our ground, and clear blue skies overhead. Frigid and frozen, yet magnificent!)

Back with a Bang

I'm burning with topics to write about, talk about, and shout about! I'll dive back into my blogging with a bang here: let's talk politics. I've kept abreast of the presidential race for some time now, and tend to be the one who keeps my parents — and some others too :) — informed. Some of you may recall my excitement a year ago at Brownback's candidacy early in the presidential race. Needless to say, since he dropped much has changed since then. So do I have a candidate? I do. And I'll come right out and say it: I am proud to support Mike Huckabee for President.

In the coming days, I hope to be able to offer facts and thoughts on this race. Every election is important, but I'm convinced this one is monumental.

For now, I'll offer the top ten reasons I'm backing Huckabee...

1. He is a man of Faith who knows the One ultimately in charge. Huckabee is not afraid to declare and defend fundamental Christian truths. He has openly asked for prayer, and is a man of prayer (for example, he reads Proverbs each morning as part of his daily devotions). Above all, we need men of Faith in government. These men rely not on their own wisdom, but on a higher wisdom. A nation such as ours needs much more than mere human wisdom to govern it!

"My faith is my life - it defines me. My faith doesn't influence my
decisions, it drives them." - Mike Huckabee

2. He is a dedicated family man. Huckabee has been faithfully married to his wife, Janet, for 33 years, including standing by her through a life-threatening disease. I love this quote (found here on Huckabee's website):

"My wife Janet and I celebrated our thirty-third wedding anniversary this
past May. For us, every anniversary is a miracle. When we were both twenty and
married just over a year, when I was in my last semester of college, Janet was
diagnosed with cancer of the spine. I can't tell you what a stunning blow it was
- two kids just starting out, you don't think something like that can happen
when you're so young. Yet there we were, staring death in the face. At first,
they told us that even if she lived, she might be paralyzed from the waist down,
so I'd be a young man with an invalid wife. After I learned she wouldn't be
paralyzed, I was told that because of the radiation she had to receive following
surgery, we'd probably never have children. I wanted children very much, I
couldn't imagine never being a father. During that time, a lot of things went
through my mind. But one thing never did - the thought of leaving her. If Janet
were in a wheelchair today, if we'd never had children, I can tell you this -
she would still be my wife." - Mike Huckabee

3. He is firmly pro-life. He believes than Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. He supports passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. He opposes research on embryonic stem cells. For Huckabee's clearly explained positions on the sanctity of life, visit this page. I love how prominent he makes the "Sanctity of Life" page on his website!

4. He understands and is ready to defend marriage as the union between one man and one woman, and supports passage of a federal constitutional amendment that defines the above. Another excellently explained page here.

"Our true strength comes from our families." -Mike Huckabee

5. Huckabee recognizes the benefits of homeschooling and supports the rights of parents to homeschool their children. He even appointed a homeschool parent to the State Board of Education in Arkansas! Check out this terrific video about some of what he did to help homeschoolers in AR.

6. Huckabee is the three "C's" that I look and long for in any politician: consistant, clear, and competant. He doesn't beat around the bush, water down his answers, or bow to political trends.

7. He is an outstanding and articulate speaker. Time and time again in the debates and in interviews, he has answered pointed and difficult questions with poise and passion.

8. Alex and Brett Harris, founders of The Rebelution and two young men whom I admire for their well-balanced, thoroughly-researched, highly-intellectual and very godly judgement, are supporting Huckabee. And are proving that by God's grace, a pair of 19-year-olds are capable of literally affecting the course of the nation.

Watch an outstanding ABC news video clip featuring the Harris brothers
Listen to a great radio interview with Brett Harris
Head over to the Harris brothers' blog: I Heart Huckabee
Visit "Huck's Army", the impressive nationwide network and forum founded by Alex and Brett

9. As a musician and Suzuki music teacher, I so appreciate Huckabee's acknowledgment in his own words that he is a "passion, ardent supporter" of art and music in education. At the Suzuki Institutue I attended this summer, a group of us teachers were lamenting the lack of government support/funding for music and arts, as compared to math and sciences. Huckabee's our man! See this page, and check out this video.

"Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable - I
believe they are essential. I want to provide every child these 'Weapons of Mass
Instruction.'" - Mike Huckabee

10. He is a man of the people. Huckabee is not arrogant, self-centered, or power hungry. He is an American ready to serve God, nation, and people as our next President.

Won't you join me today in both supporting and praying for him? Let us all pray, fast, and sacrifice for God's will be to carried out in these elections.

Thank You

Thank you all so much for the prayers. I am doing much better, and I know they have helped significantly. You are all a blessing!

I hope to be fully "back" here soon. Pax Christi.

I've been sick

Having an intense cold the last several days, as well as the sorest of sore throats I've ever experienced (as in, every breath and swallow is excruciating), has served to give me just a little more understanding of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. It is a terrible thing to not be able to breathe. Oh! to have such a God... Who would choose to die by suffocation!

The above-mentioned illness also kept me from completing many of the tasks I hoped to last week. I am trying to catch up right now while being "on the mend", and attempting to not work myself to the point of being bedridden again. Everything starts back full-force this week, including the huge project of our after-Christmas performance with my Religious Ed Program. So, needless to say, and despite how much I would love for it to be, blogging is not at the top of my list right now. My after-the-twelve-days-of-Christmas-return might not be for another week...

Please, pray for me... I need it right now.

Put Out Into the Deep

I know, I know, I'm gone from the blog right now...but I just stumbled across this and it was SO good I had to share it! Merry Christmastide!

“The Internet causes billions of images to appear on millions of computer monitors around the planet. From this galaxy of sight and sound will the face of Christ emerge and the voice of Christ be heard? For it is only when His face is seen and His voice heard that the world will know the glad tidings of our redemption. ...Therefore,... I dare to summon the whole Church bravely to cross this new threshold, to put out into the deep of the Net, so that now as in the past the great engagement of the Gospel and culture may show to the world ‘the glory of God on the face of Christ’.”

—Pope John Paul II

Awake!

"Awake, mankind!
For your sake God has become man.
Awake, you who sleep, rise up from the dead,
and Christ will enlighten you.
I tell you again: for your sake, God became man.
You would have suffered eternal death,
had He not been born in time.
Never would you have been freed from sinful flesh,
had He not taken on Himself the likeness of sinful flesh.
You would have suffered everlasting unhappiness,
had it not been for this mercy.
You would never have returned to life,
had he not shared your death.
You would have been lost
if He had not hastened to your aid.
You would have perished, had He not come.
Let us then joyfully celebrate the coming
of our salvation and redemption.
Let us celebrate the festive day
on which He who is the great and eternal day came
from the great and endless day of eternity
into our own short day of time."

- St. Augustine

from a Sermon in the Office of Readings

~ ~ ~

To better celebrate these holy days with contemplation, work on some of the many things I need to gain hold of, and adore my newborn Savior, I will be on sabbatical from all things internet for the duration of the twelve days of Christmas.

May the infinite light of the Holy Child penetrate your heart and soul!

Venite adoremus...

For a good chuckle!

We got the link to this video in an email and I got a real kick out of it! Just a minute or two of some truth mixed with fun...enjoy. =)

"A Homeschool Family"

Gaude!

"These things I have spoken to you, in order that My joy may dwell in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11)

"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love." (Mother Teresa)

"...your heart shall rejoice, and no one shall take your joy from you." (John 16:22)

A blessed Gaudete Sunday to you!

So True...

How many observe Christ's birthday!
How few, His precepts!

(Benjamin Franklin)

HT: Bethany

Stillness

The last few days have been rich... so rich. Full of Advent grace. A seminarian and friend of ours has been visiting our family, and we've enjoyed some great fellowship, powerful prayer times, and I have particularly found deep peace in the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) that we have joined him in praying. Although I have experienced this universal prayer of the Church at times before, never before has the richness and beauty of it struck me so deeply.

There is a silence in my soul at the moment, and it is only enhanced by the pristine stillness of the winter wonderland outside. Snow has been gently falling for some time, and a glance out the window reveals a scene not unlike the tranquility hovering over me by grace just now. The world is hushed, and serene, and still. Emitting a certain glow. And yet, waiting. Waiting in silence.

"Rejoice, Jerusalem, let your joy overflow;

your Savior will come to you, alleluia."

(from tonight's Evening Prayer of the Divine Office)

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

In honor of her feast, I'd like to share a report I recently wrote and gave in Spanish class on "Las Aztecas, La Cuidad de México, y La Historia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe". Presenting in Spanish was such fun! Enjoy... and do please let me know if you could understand it. :)

Quiero platicarles una historia verdadera sobre una parte importante de la cultura y tradición de México. Es la historia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Los latinos la aman muchísimo. La llaman “La Virgen de Guadalupe, Nuestra Reina de las Américas”.

Para empezar la historia, debemos remontarnos a México en el año 1531. Era un país muy sufrido. Los conquistadores españoles y los indios nativos se peleaban unos con otros. Estos indios se llamaban los aztecas. Los españoles no comprendían a los aztecas. Los aztecas no comprendían a los españoles. Porque los conquistadores españoles frecuentemente eran crueles a los aztecas, los aztecas odiaban a todos los europeos.

Quiero contarles de la gente azteca. Eran una nación muy grande, un imperio de como diez millón personas. Su emperador vivía en Tenochtitlán. Después de los españoles vinieron, éste se llamaba la cuidad de México, o en inglés, México City. La nación azteca tenían muchos doctores, matemáticos, filósofos, astrónomos, y artistas. Pero también eran una gente muy pagana. Reverenciaban muchos dioses, como el sol, la luna, y las estrellas. Su dios más importante se llamaba “Quetzalcóatl”, una serpiente. Una parte de su religión fue matar personas y sacrificarlas a sus dioses. Los informes de los españoles nos dicen que más que cincuenta mil personas se sacrificaban cada año, y muchos historiadores creen que esto es verdadero. Frecuentemente, estas personas eran los esclavos y los niños.

Ésta fue la gente que vivía en México cuando los españoles llegaron en el año mil quinientos diecinueve. Con los soldados de España, también llegaron sacerdotes y misioneros católicos. Los soldados querían encontrar oro y poder, pero los misioneros solamente querían ayudar a los indios pobres. Pero los aztecas no querían escuchar a los hombres blancos. Ellos no creían que los misioneros les fueran a ayudar. Solamente unos pocos de los aztecas escuchaban a los misioneros y comenzaban a creer en la Fe Cristiana.

Uno de estos aztecas que creía fue un hombre pobre y sencillo que se llamaba Juan Diego. El tenía alrededor de cincuenta años. Su nombre en indio fue “Cuauhtlatohuac”, que significa “Él que habla como una águila”. La esposa de Juan falleció, y él vivía con su tío anciano en la ciudad de México.

Un día, temprano por la mañana, Juan se levantó y se fue a la iglesia. Mientras estaba caminando cerca de una colina que se llama “Tepeyac”, de súbito escuchó una música muy bonita. Entonces él vio a una señorita muy hermosa. Ella llevaba la ropa de una princesa azteca. Su vestido era rosado, y su velo era azul. Él sabía que ella estaba embarazada, porque ella tenía un cinturón negro. Este cinturón se llevaba por una señora azteca para mostrar que ella estaba embarazada.

La señorita habló a Juan. “Juanito”, ella dijo, “Yo soy la madre del Dios verdadero, el uno que da la vida a todo y que es el señor de cielo y tierra. Yo soy tu madre misericordioso, la madre de todo que vivan en este país, y la madre del todo el mundo. Yo deseo dar ama, protección, compasión, y ayuda a la gente de los Américas. Yo necesito que tú visites al obispo de la cuidad de México. Dígale que yo quiero que él edifique una iglesia aquí misma. Esta iglesia va a ser para los españoles y los aztecas, porque yo soy la madre de toda la gente.”

Juan Diego la escuchaba. Le dijo que él no era muy inteligente. Le dijo que él no era un hombre muy importante. Él le pidió, “Señorita, por favor busque alguna otra persona para que visite al obispo.” Pero ella dijo, “No, Juan Diego, yo necesito que tú vayas.”

Entonces Juan fue a ver al obispo de la ciudad de México, que se llamó Obispo Zumárraga. El obispo escuchó la historia de Juan, pero creyó que posiblemente él estaba un poco loco. El obispo mandó a Juan Diego que regrese a su casa. Él le dijo que él necesitaba una prueba para creer la historia de la señorita hermosa.

Juan Diego salió de la casa del obispo. Cuando él caminaba de regreso a su casa, otra vez se encontró con la señorita hermosa. Le dijo lo que pasó con el obispo. Ella le respondió, “Mi hijo, no te preocupes. Voy a darte una prueba para el obispo. Vuelve mañana para conseguir la prueba.”
Pero al siguiente día, el tío de Juan estaba muy enfermo. Juan tenía que cuidar de él y no podía encontrarse con la señorita hermosa. Se sintió muy triste. Dos días pasaron, y su tío estaba más enfermo.

Juan temía que su tío fuera a morir. Su tío le pidió a Juan, “Por favor, sobrino, vaya y busque a un sacerdote para rezar conmigo.” Juan corrió. Mientras estaba corriendo, él se dijo así mismo, “Espero no encontrarme con la señorita porque posiblemente, ella está enojada conmigo.”

Pero de súbito, ella se le apareció a él. “¿Dónde vas, mi hijo?” ella le preguntó.

“Mi señora, lo siento,” Juan explicó. “No pude venir como yo prometí porque mi tío está muy enfermo. ¡Temo que él vaya a morir! Necesito buscar un sacerdote para él.”

La señorita hermosa se sonrió y dijo dulcemente, “Mi hijo, no necesitas preocuparte. Estoy aquí. Soy tu madre. Voy a cuidar de ti. Tu tío no va a morir hoy porque ahora él está bien. Ahora, ¿estás listo para llevar la prueba al obispo?”

“Si, mi señora, estoy listo,” Juan respondió.

La señorita le pidió, “Ve a la cima de la colina que se llama Tepeyac. Tú vas a encontrar rosas allí. Por favor, córtalas y tráelas a mí.”

Ese día, era el doce de diciembre. Era invierno y hacía mucho frio. Sabemos que las rosas no se encuentran en el invierno. Pero Juan fue a la cima de la colina y buscó flores. Y había muchas rosas bonitas, en muchos colores diferentes. Él las recogió y las puso en su tilma, o poncho en inglés. Todos los indios llevaban estas tilmas. Juan regresó con las rosas para la señorita, y ella las acomodó en su tilma. Ella le ordenó, “Tome las rosas y muéstreselas al obispo.”

Juan se fue rápidamente y con mucha precaución. El llegó a la casa del obispo y entró en la habitación, él le dijo al obispo, “¡Mire! ¡Aquí tengo la prueba! La señora la envío para usted.” Entonces, él abrió su tilma y las rosas se cayeron al piso.

El obispo estaba muy sorprendido. ¡Rosas en diciembre! Pero aún había una sorpresa más grande. En la tilma de Juan Diego había una imagen de la señorita, exactamente como él la veo. Era un milagro. El obispo creyó la historia de Juan y comenzó a edificar la iglesia que la señora le pidió. La tilma de Juan con la imagen milagrosa se preservó en esta iglesia.

Pero esto no es el fin de la historia. La señora también se apareció al tío de Juan y lo curó. Ella le dijo que su nombre indígena era “Coatlaxopeuh”, que significa “Ella que aplasta la cabeza de la serpiente”. Porque el nombre sonaba muy semejante a la palabra en español “Guadalupe”, los españoles empezaron a usar este nombre. Pero a los indios, el nombre “Coatlaxopeuh” era muy importante. ¡Significaba que la señora era más poderosa que su serpiente-dios!

La imagen en la tilma de Juan Diego les enseñó muchas cosas a los aztecas. La señora se encuentra en frente del sol, encima de la luna, y su velo cubierto con las estrellas. Esto mostró a los indios que ella era más poderosa que sus dioses del sol, la luna, y las estrellas. Ellos sabían que esta señora poderosa no era una diosa, porque sus manos estaban rezando y ella tenía su cabeza inclinada. También ella era mestiza. Muchos niñitos mestizos fueron abandonados. Pero después que nuestra señora se apareció, mucho menos de estos niñitos fueron abandonados.

Y la promesa de Nuestra Señora se cumplió. En unos pocos años, más que nueve millón de los aztecas se bautizaron en la Fe Cristiana. Y paz vino al fin entre los españoles y los aztecas.
Es muy interesante observar que Cristóbal Colon, que descubrió las Américas cuarenta años antes de la visita de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, llamaba sus barcos “Nina”, “Pinta”, y “Santa María”. En inglés, estos nombres significan “Girl paints Holy Mary”. Esto es exactamente lo que pasó en la tilma de Juan Diego cuarenta años después.

Hoy, se puede ver la tilma de Juan Diego con la imagen de la señorita hermosa en la basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en la ciudad de México. Hace ocho años que yo y mi familia fuimos allí y la vimos. Aún queda un milagro, especialmente porque las tilmas de los indígenas se hacían de fibras de los cactos. Siempre se desintegraban después de como veinte años. Pero después de más que quinientos años, la tilma de Juan Diego con la imagen de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, La Reina de las Américas, está perfectamente preservaba e intacta.

Hace ocho años que yo y mi familia viajamos a México y visitamos la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Es una lugar muy hermosa. Y espero visitar allí otra vez.

¡Madre de las Américas, ruega por nosotros!

My new profile picture

was taken after our concert with the Joliet Symphony Orchestra on the first of the month. Since it's rather small in the profile, and I'm not sure how to change the size, here's a little larger view... actually, the whole thing.

Appassionata: Musicians to the King

Claire H., Violin
Sarah H., Violin
Veronica H., Violin
Mary K., Harp
Laura K., Harp

(Appassionata is the name of our small chamber group when we play weddings and other special events. Incidentally, we are also all members of our town's Symphony/Community Orchestra. Well, Veronica is not quite, but probably soon...)

By the way, "appassionata" is an (Italian) musical term meaning "with passion".

Today's Feast: Mother of the Americas

“It is my heartfelt hope that she whose intercession was responsible for strengthening the faith of the first disciples will by her maternal intercession guide the church in America, obtaining the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as she once did for the early church, so that the new evangelization may yield a splendid flowering of Christian life.”

"In America, the mestiza face of the Virgin of Guadalupe was from the start a symbol of the inculturation of the Gospel, of which she has been the lodestar and the guide. Through her powerful intercession, the Gospel will penetrate the hearts of the men and women of America and permeate their cultures, transforming them from within.”

"How can we fail to emphasize the role which belongs to the Virgin Mary in relation to the pilgrim Church in America journeying towards its encounter with the Lord? Indeed, the Most Blessed Virgin 'is linked in a special way to the birth of the Church in the history... of the peoples of America; through Mary they came to encounter the Lord'".

-Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America

An Election Prayer to Mary

I really like this prayer from EWTN's website:

An Election Prayer to Mary

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.

Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.

Amen.

Immaculata

"Mary's Immaculate Conception is the sign of the gracious love of the Father, the perfect expression of the redemption accomplished by the Son and the beginning of a life completely open to the working of the Spirit."

- Pope John Paul II

More on Today's feast of the Immaculate Conception at:

Women for Faith and Family

FishEaters.com

NewAdvent.org

AmericanCatholic.org

Reflections on Hope

As we are in the Advent week of hope, I thought now would be a good time to share some recent reflections I gave at Little Flowers Club. We used to always do acronyms of the virtues in our "younger years" in the Club, so I decided to revisit the approach in my reflections...

Honesty and Humility – with ourselves and God. We must always be honest about our own sinfulness and need of Christ’s mercy, but at the same time must hope in His ongoing work within us – even on days when we can’t see or feel it happening.

“Two criminals were crucified with Christ. One was saved; do not despair. One
was not; do not presume.” ( St. Augustine)

And the same with our world: it is easy for us, I think, to become so focused on and concerned about the great evil and darkness all around us that we forget to remain hopeful about humanity. "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness..." In the midst of all this confusion, there is evidence of a Springtime of Faith, a "New Pentecost".

“The last word of God on the human condition is not death, but life; not despair, but hope. To this hope the Church invites the men and women of today as well. She repeats to them the incredible but true proclamation: Christ is risen! Let the whole world rise with Him. Alleluia!” (Pope John Paul II)

Optimism is another word that reminds us how to practically apply this virtue. Can we recognize, or at least look for, the hand of God in every situation? Do we believe He can bring greater good from evil? Our God is One Who can bring beauty from brokenness, life from ashes, healing from frailty, strength from weakness. What a consolation. (I've reflected on this often: here, and here, and here.)

"It is our part to seek, His to grant what we ask; ours to make a beginning, His to bring it to completion; ours to offer what we can, His to finish what we cannot." (St. Jerome)

Promise. We are the children of a Father Who keeps his promises. Always. The movie Love’s Enduring Promise comes to mind… I love that title, and how Missy’s father reminds his daughter: “Remember love’s enduring promise! He is faithful”.

“…those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23)

“For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)

Our youth is a unique time of learning to hope, to trust. Especially as many of us near adulthood, the paths of discernment can be at times frightening, or at least confusing. The human desire to “have it all planned out” is constantly there. Yet most of us will probably don’t know our life’s vocation yet. Some of us many not know what it is for some time… each day we must renew our desire to simply hope, and trust, and be a handmaiden of the Lord, ready to say “Fiat”.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'Plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Eternity is why we are here. Hope is what keeps this foremost in our minds and hearts. How bleak, how empty life would be if we had only 70 or 80 or 90 years here, and nothing more. But we know that this time is but the blink of an eye in light of eternity.

Bl. Juliana of Norwich (14th-15th Century English Mystic, Visionary,
Writer):

“He did not say: You will not be assailed, you will not be belabored, you will not be disquieted, but he did say: You will not be overcome.”

“All shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well.”

(I had always loved that last quote, which Bear uses in Regina Doman's first book, but it was not until I prepared the above reflection that I learned who first said it! I thought that was pretty neat!)

~ ~ ~

More on Hope...

- Words for hope, from the online Thesaurus:

Anticipation – Expectancy – Longing – Security – Trust

- Think about it: To hope in vs. hope for something is different: the first ("hope in") means we know with certainty that what we hope is in true, but the second ("hope for") means we only long for it.

- From the Holy Mass: “In your mercy keep us free from sin, and protect us in all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Other quotes:
“Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all; forgiving means to pardon the unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all; faith means believing the unbelievable, or it is no virtue at all; and to hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all.” (G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy)

“Love is faith’s flower, hope is its stem. Grace comes into us by faith, like water through the roots of a tree. It rises in us by hope, like sap rising through the trunk of a tree. And it matures in us by [love] as fruit matures on a tree’s branches, fruit for the neighbor’s eating.” (Peter Kreeft, The God Who Loves You)

“Faith is the root, the necessary beginning. Hope is the stem, the energy that makes the plant grow. Love is the fruit, the flower, the visible product, the bottom line. The plant of our new life in Christ is one; the life of God comes into us by faith, through us by hope, and out of us by the works of love.” (Peter Kreeft, Fundamentals of the Faith)

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

“But we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:23-25)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

“Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9)

“But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy everyone that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)

From Saint Augustine

"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. "

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility."

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."

New Beginnings

What a glorious time of year this is. Entering Advent this past Sunday meant the beginning of a new Liturgical year. A good time to make a "new year's" resolution, which we all did here! This is such a rich, wondrous season...each year I love it more. My heart is brimming with thoughts and expressions, but at the moment, no time to form them.

I must say this, though: ¡Me encanta nieve!* And we've been blessed with an abundance of it this week! God's paintbrush... covering the world with his touch of beauty. Pure delight.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

*A "gold star" to anyone who can translate! ;)

We were in WI

for the weekend (since Thursday evening, actually), enjoying good times with extended family and a few nights with Grandpa and Grandma. For me, it was a much-needed mini "getaway" on their farm in the country... and after the grey skies and dampness we'd had here for at least a week, waking up Friday morning to a brilliant blue sky and a coating of sparkling snow on the ground was a welcome change! We were all spoiled by Grandma's wonderful goodies and meals, and had time for some of what I call "the simple joys"... like traipsing around the farm feeling the snow crunch under our boots, laughing and breathing deeply of crisp, cold air, and with no destination in particular.

I looked at Sarah and remarked, "Being here makes me a child again."

But now, we're home, and there's plenty of grown-up work to do, so... adieu for now! I hope your holiday was a joyous one too!

P.S. Don't forget today's Solemnity of Christ the King! There's a nice article here (don't mind that last year's date is on it–the Solemnity is every year!). And Amanda has a lovely prayer posted here.

Blessed Thanksgiving!

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."

~Theodore Roosevelt

From the Readings for 11/21

"It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.

Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
'I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.'"

(2 Maccabees)

Oh, what a heart-tugger this reading is! And what a mother! I can never hear or read that passage without a pang of intense sorrow and admiration for her. To see your seven sons killed before your very eyes, and to respond as she did.... what absolute grace, what supernatural strength. This, indeed, was a mother who knew what her life's purpose was: to bring her children to salvation. And her trust was such that she was able to not only endure, but encourage them in the sacrifice of their own lives for the sake of faithfulness. Lord, grant all mothers the same courage, the same trust, the same resolve!

I know this is rather pointless,

but how is it that I never noticed the whole assortment of text color selections in the blogger post-writing box? =) What possibilites!

Well, my family does call me "the font queen", but...what can I say? Give me fonts, give me colors, and I'm pretty happy! ;)

Cool!

Pope Benedict's visiting the US in April!

From usccb.org:

Pope Benedict XVI to visit the United States April 15-20, 2008

The Holy Father will arrive in Washington on the evening of April 15, with a visit to the White House on April 16 and a meeting with the bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception that evening. April 17 will include a public Mass at the new Nationals Stadium in Washington and a meeting with the presidents of Catholic universities and diocesan heads of education at Catholic University of America, as well as a meeting with representatives of other religions at the John Paul II Cultural Center. Pope Benedict XVI will fly to New York City on April 18 for an address to the United Nations. He will also meet with ecumenical leaders at a New York City parish that evening. On April 19 he will celebrate a Mass for priests, deacons and members of religious orders at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and will meet with young Catholics at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. April 20 will include a visit to ground zero, the site of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and a public Mass at Yankee Stadium.

I've wanted to write this post for a long time

It was several years ago that a friend first lent me Eric and Leslie Ludy's books When God Writes Your Love Story and When Dreams Come True. I immediately fell in love with their engaging, entertaining style and the beautiful depth of their message. When God Writes Your Love Story put into words, and took to a new level, much of what was engrained in my heart thanks to the goodness of God and the wisdom of my parents. And as anyone who's read the Ludy's own story in When Dreams Come True will agree, their God-scripted romance surpasses that of any fairytale! I must say, it's wonderful and encouraging to read beautiful, pure fictional romances, but even so much more uplifting and convicting to read a true one. It leaves you exulting in the fact that cherished relationships don't only happen within the covers of a good novel, but that by the masterful Divine hand and plan, they actually can take place in reality.

Lately, I've been blessed anew through the Ludy's ardent work. I must admit that the depth of their passion for a life completely and utterly centered around Christ puts me in awe. Their desire to share the joy of this conviction has enabled them to touch and bless so many souls. The email update I received from them the other day included an invitation to visit their newly redone website, and when I re-visited Leslie's site for girls (an extension of her book Authentic Beauty; also wonderful!), I eagerly checked out her rather new online audio series. I haven't listened to all of them yet, but her "Sacred Design" session was so good for me the other day. She speaks straight from her heart about being Christ's "set apart princess", and the personal stories she shares were very moving and convicting for me. I came away meditating on a phrase she used often, and which I love: what it means to be captivated by our Heavenly Prince. I will admit in a heartbeat that I am in love with words, and this one recently was stamped on my "favorites" list... those words that, in and of themselves, make for some beautiful contemplation. Especially since listening to Leslie's talk, I have found myself praying to become completely captivated by my Jesus. And nothing else. Just whispering, reminding myself, "He is enough for me. My Jesus, You are enough."

He is enough. And He is everything. And that, indeed, is captivating.

Enter a Rose

A sweet friend and dear goddaughter has just made her "grand entrance" into the blogsphere! (I am privileged to be her Confirmation sponsor.) She is a gifted writer, and I look forward to plenty of beauty and inspiration from her blog. Please take a minute to drop by and give a warm welcome to Lady of the Rose!

And because I just love the quote she shared today, I have to share it here too. (Hope you don't mind, Amanda!). It is a real gem, from none other than J.R.R. Tolkien.

"Out of the darkness of my life,

so much frustrated,

I place before you

the one great thing to love on earth:

The Blessed Sacrament...

There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity

and the true way of all your loves upon earth,

and more than that: Death:

by the divine paradox, that which ends life,

and demands the complete surrender of all,

and yet by the taste of which alone

can what you seek

in your earthly relationships be maintained,

or take on the complexity of reality,

or eternal endurance,

which every man's heart desires."

~ Tolkien in a letter to his son

Have You Seen Bella Yet?

A message from Eduardo Verastegui, lead actor and Producer of Bella:

URGENT!!---- Bella is the #1 Top Rated Movie in the US but if the movie "Bella" does not have high box office scores this weekend IT WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF THEATRES
Because of your help the distributor is doubling the number of theaters showing Bella
We can do it again and make it to the #1 busiest box office weekend of the year....Thanksgiving weekend. It is "do or die" for this film to succeed. We need to mobilize everyone we know to watch this film Fri-Sunday (Nov 16-18).

Complete theater listing here.

The State of Girlhood

My heart breaks at articles like this and this (warning: descriptive content). So many little girls have lost, or perhaps never experienced, the privilege and joy of being just that: an innocent young girl. They are merely victims of a culture gone mad. Really, when we take a good hard look at what we feed our children—the entertainment we offer, the playthings we buy, the role models we uphold—what can we expect? Likewise, how can we encourage our little girls to be "sexy", teaching them to "flaunt what they've got", and then be surprised at the amount of child molestation and sexual abuse that goes on?

Little girls—and their present, future, and eternal happiness—are very, very close to my heart. Maidenhood—and all the purity, loveliness, innocence, wonder, and charm that goes with it—must not be lost. And this is precisely why I distribute a special book for young girls through my movement.

In contemplating all of these thoughts today, I went running to one of my favorite books: The Privilege of Being a Women by Dr. Alice von Hildebrand. This little book is brimming with pearls of wisdom...

"The fearful sexual decadence that we have witnessed in the course of the last forty years can be traced back, at least in part, to the fashion world's systematic attempt to eradicate in girls the 'holy bashfulness' which is the proper response that women should give to what is personal, intimate, and calls for veiling."

"The fashions of the day are all geared toward destroying women's sensitivity for the dignity of their sex... The state of our contemporary society sheds light on the fact that when women 'no longer know how to blush,' it is a portent that this society is on the verge of moral collapse."

"If little girls were made aware of the great mystery confided to them, their purity would be guaranteed. The very reverence which they would have towards their own bodies would inevitably be perceived by the other sex. Men are talented at reading women's body language... Perceiving women's modesty, they would take their cue and, in return, approach the female sex with reverence, instead of with today's brutal irreverence which unleashes lust and impurity."

The state of romance today is a troubling one because the state of womanhood and of girlhood is a troubling one. I'm not saying that the pervasive misunderstanding and abuse of human sexuality is all our fault, or that men bear no part of the guilt. We both do. But we women have to come to grips with and teach our young girls this simple truth: we can't hope for or demand respect when we don't have it for ourselves.

A maiden of 1902... and today

How Refreshing

that when your ten-year-old brother's friend comes over, the activity of their own instigation and choosing is not computer games, Play Station, or television, but...

this.

I suppose I should title this "Time Marches On"

Wow! So much has happened in the past two weeks. A highlight was hosting six beautiful young women from NET Ministries at our home for two nights the last few days of October. I was thrilled to be able to have their team at St. Joseph's leading a retreat for 85 youth on October 30, and we savored every moment of our time with them. I marveled at how instantly we girls (meaning my sisters and I) were able to connect with these missionary sisters-in-Christ, and how much we were able to do for each other in such a short time. Here were six young women of varying backgrounds and all different parts of the US, and such kindred spirits that we felt like we knew them forever. And it was more than that. It was the penetrating beauty of the Church Militant, the Mystical Body of Christ. I love how the girls refer to those other girls on their team as their "sisterhood" (likewise, the five young men on the team were the "brotherhood"). We felt so blessed to be a part of that sisterhood for the time there were here. Deo Gratias.

And it had struck me that my periodic, unplanned (and rather undesired) "breaks" of stepping away from my corner here for a bit are somewhat needed to help me in the continual effort of finding balance and discipline in my daily life. Each day our Lord stretches me. Each day He challenges me. Each day He has work for me. Some days that includes this. Some days it does not. Sometimes, it's a little hard to realize when it's the latter. :)

On the Triumph of Love...

"Love cannot triumph unless it becomes the one passion of our life. Without such passion we may produce isolated acts of love; but our life is not really won over or consecrated to an ideal. Until we have a passionate love for our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament we shall accomplish nothing."

~St. Peter Julian Eymard

The Makers of Bella

This is Too Touching

Alaska Couple Celebrates 80th Wedding Anniversary.

What a testimony of commitment!!

BELLA is coming tomorrow!

In January when my family attended the March for Life, we were privileged to experience a special preview of the movie Bella. It was everything a movie should be: clean, family-centered, and while the plot is dramatic and inspiring, there are also some funny moments. It's a heartwarming story about the sanctity of life, the gift of family, the power of relationships, ordinary people finding new hope...

And the neat part is: the story behind the movie is just as powerful as the story within it. And the best part is: it's being released tomorrow! This film is absolutely a must-see. If there was ever a time to go to the theater, this is it. Let's pray that this movie will "break the box office"! It's about time we took a stand for entertainment that lifts us up instead of dragging us down.

For more...

Bella Official Site
Find a Theater near you
Eduardo Verastegui's story video
Bella Trailer
Bella Trailer 2

"The last film with Bella’s momentum was the Passion of the Christ."

–Steve McEveety, Executive Producer of Braveheart and a producer of The Passion

Happy Birthday, Mom!

For all the times you've been there for me... thank you

For all the times I've caused you grief... I'm sorry

For helping form me into whom I am today, and who I am becoming... thank you



And I hope I'm as youthful as you are when I'm your age! :)
Mom, I love you!

Funny, but True!

Men and women. Yes, our differences run deep (and thank the Lord!). There's a short but true and amusing point here:

Body language differs by gender. Men tend to stare as they listen and nod to signify they understand. Women may nod when they don't yet understand to encourage the speaker to keep talking.

And the above blog author's comment?

"Ahhh . . . so when she nods it means something different? This is useful."

Absolutely! :)

Waking Rose

Have you ever experienced the spell, the wonderful spell of a book so completely realistic and yet perfect, that you are utterly yielded to its magic? As someone who fell head over heels in love with reading ever since I learned how at four, I've read countless "good" books, many "great" books, and a delightful few "magic" books. Books that challenge and sift and inspire and offer a picture of deeper reality that leaves you relishing in the abundance of life truly lived. Of sacrifice nobly given. Of love freely chosen.

When questioned who my favorite authors are, I always admit Gene Stratton Porter, Lucy Maud Montgomery, and of course, Regina Doman. From the day I read all of Shadow of the Bear on my 13th birthday, I was enraptured with her talent. Memorable characters, endearing personalities, heroic situations, human struggles, plenty of suspense... her books have it all. And though they're "modern day fairy tales", they're peppered with the spice of very real characters with genuine struggles, lifelike (though dramatic) situations, and plenty of their own humor. I love a book that can have me laughing, then crying, laughing again, shivering in a few places... and these stories definitely do that. You instantly feel like you've made friends, like you know these unforgettable people. And at the same time, you're wishing you could meet them in the flesh.

One of the things I think I love most in her books is how her own love and obviously extensive knowledge of poetry is woven into the stories. This, and the exciting twists and turns of each plot make for books that you can -- and want to -- pick up and read again and again, getting something more each time. The poignant spiritual themes, without seeming forced at all, are what really make these stories radiant, and what put them head and shoulders above almost any other teen fiction today. Whereas your average "teen novel" (especially any teen romance) is shallow, sensationalized, devoid of commitment and full of immorality, Regina's stories are filled with depth, reality, sacrifice, and truth. Waking Rose especially carries an ongoing theme of redemption and purification.

I also appreciate her insight into human struggle. Her heroes don't have picture-perfect, seamless lives, but experience temptations and weakness. Their heroism rises from their going through and resistance of this temptation; their surrendering and growth despite their human weakness. Bear and Fish, for example, come from a very broken family life and troubled childhood, and Regina doesn't gloss over those facts and then have them come riding through, princes in the sunset, as if that past never happened. Each of them must come to grips with their past, and both are in need of healing and forgiveness in order let go of their brokenness. Their intense struggles directly affect not only their spiritual growth, but their relationships as well. I find this a very authentic yet hope-filled portrayal of the place that plenty of young people are in today... for those who have also experienced family division or brokenness in their childhood, Bear and Fish are a vision of what they can become with the help of God. Fish's title of the "wounded soldier" is particularly fitting. And yet, he's a faithful soldier. That's what counts. As Mother Teresa so comfortingly reminded: "God does not call us to be successful, but to be faithful".

The Fairy Tale Novels have become quite popular among homeschooled teen girls, and without wonder. I'm sure every one of us who've read them can identify in some way with either Blanche, Rose, or perhaps both at times. Blanche... intuitive, prudent, yet fearful and sometimes reluctant. Rose... vivacious, warm, headstrong, impulsive. Both facing the normal challenges, rises and falls of young womanhood, plus the growth and lessons of their own stories. Both learning to reach outside of themselves; though that means very different things for them sometimes.

Many of the books' sub-characters are fully as memorable as the main ones. Particularly in Waking Rose, Rose's best friend and college roommate, and the endearing group of gentlemanly and boyish, if somewhat eccentric "Cor guys" are unforgettable.

It was after reading Waking Rose that I really realized one of the big potentials of these books. Eric Ludy, husband of Leslie Ludy (author of Authentic Beauty), has some excellent "Lessons on Manhood" articles in her book. In one, he explains about a book that heavily impacted his life, and his understanding of masculinity and strength. It was The Scottish Chiefs, a novel based on the true story of Scottish war heroes William Wallace and Sir Robert the Bruce. He testifies that the book left him with a new and powerful vision of manhood. And it was a book written by a lady. Eric says, "It was a woman with a correct vision of manhood that lit the flame of willingness within my heart to become all the God desired for me to be." (Emphasis his)

I'm convinced that Regina's novels have the exact same potential. Her masculine characters are strong, gallant, chivalrous, and yet very real. I know many other girls would join me in confirming that they exemplify exactly the kind of strength and values we hope and pray for in a future husband. I hope many, many young women continue to read these stores and treasure the beauty of pure romance and modern-day femininity that they depict. And I hope many, many young men also pick them up and catch hold of a vision of authentic masculinity fashioned after the ultimate manhood of Jesus Christ.

A glimpse of genuine femininity. A vision of authentic masculinity. A glimpse of pure, innocent romance and sacrificial love. The power of a few determined to fight evil. These books have the power to offer my generation a real wake-up call. And I hope we hear it.

Where I Was This Weekend

...Privileged to visit some dear friends and speak for some lovely events in Iowa.

"Lord, Grant Me... the Courage to Change"

Many of us would recognize those words from the "Serenity Prayer". Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, and the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

How I love that word: serenity. Dictionary.com defines it as "the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil; sereneness".

Serenity. Tranquility. Peace. Even the very words seem to caress gently, to give an aura of what they imply. This morning, my confessor spoke to me at length about "finding peace". After some of what I've been through and struggled with the past few weeks, his direction in that healing Sacrament was so perfect this morning. (The Holy Spirit is a Master at that, you know? I can't tell you how many times the advice given me in Confession is exactly the balm, or challenge, or admonition I needed at that moment.)

My penance was to meditate on the words Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. And oh, what a mediation those can be.

Lord ...Master, Teacher, Redeemer
make me ...transform, cleanse, create, purify me to become
an instrument ...one who gives forth beauty when placed in Your Hands
of Your peace ...to offer Your greatest gifts to the world.

Father pointed out beautifully the somewhat painful change all around us this season: trees letting go of their vibrant leaves, in order to go through a season of cold and healing in preparation for new and more fruitful growth. Immediately a quote sprang into my mind -- one posted on the sign outside a church a few blocks from our house --

When you are reluctant to change, think of the beauty of Autumn.

The Lord has been doing some pruning on me lately; He's showing me that I need to let go of some of my leaves to allow for new growth later. I may be reluctant to let them go, vibrant as they are. But if I trust enough, Spring, with all its glorious freshness and the burst of new life, will come.

Post Script on Braiding

Veronica kindly reminded me of a few more braid photos worth sharing... I did this 7-strand french braid on Sarah on our recent trip Out West.

Instructions for multiple odd-strand braids can be found in detail here.

The Church is ALIVE!

I was so blessed today to visit St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, IL, where they'd invited me to be Mother Teresa for a few of their their Saint-themed Faith Festivals. And I walked away totally awed by the life, the joy, and the servant-attitudes abounding there. It's a huge parish with over 4400 families, and wow! What a vibrant one!

These Faith Festivals -- occuring every-other month and blended with the parish's Religious Education Program as a "Generations of Faith" approach -- are being so well-received that each of the 4 sessions so far (there are eight total; only two of them were today) have been filled to capacity, with waiting lists of those beyond the 350 they can handle per session. It did my heart good to see so many families, so many youth, so many generous organizers and volunteer youth... it was evident that a lot of planning, preparation, prayer, and hard work went into the events,

but the results were incredible. I came home filled with hope on this Respect Life Sunday: the Church is indeed alive. We have only to look with eyes of hope to see evidence of the springtime of Faith, the new Pentecost as the Holy Spirit continues to pour forth on his people!