My generation needs to prove the world WRONG

...and tomorrow we have an opportunity to help do just that.

The Rebelution's "Do Hard Things" Book Bomb

A message from Alex and Brett Harris...
We've written a book called Do Hard Things. It's a hardcover, non-fiction book for teens -- a genre that is about as popular with young people as foreign language math textbooks. Conventional wisdom says we'd be lucky if more than a few dozen teens bought it -- let alone read it.

But Do Hard Things is our hearts' cry. It's our humble attempt to put into words the message of a powerful work God is already doing in the hearts of young people around the world. Our prayer is that God would use it as a tool to remind a generation of timeless truth about the teen years -- and life.

From the official book description...
The next generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution."

With over 14 million hits to their website TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God.

Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of revolution already in progress challenges the next generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

What's the "Book Bomb"?
Tomorrow, March 25, we are trying to push "Do Hard Things" to the top of Amazon.com! What a powerful way to show that our generation is ready to rise above the low expectations of our culture! All you have to do to join the effort is purchase the book tomorrow. Here's a quick link for you: Do Hard Things on Amazon.com. Even better: purchase an extra copy! And tell a friend (or two, or ten) about it, too!

To learn all about the effort and the book, click here!

Indeed, He is Risen!

"Now let the heavens be joyful,

Let earth her song begin:

Let the round world keep triumph,

And all that is therein;

Invisible and visible,

Their notes let all things blend,

For Christ the Lord is risen

Our joy that hath no end."

-Saint John Damascene

It is no coincidence

that Danielle Bean's lenten challenge for today includes the following:

Do you have talent? Remember to give God the glory. “The sole thing in myself in which I glory is that I see in myself nothing in which I can glory.” – St. Catherine of Genoa

...So timely and fitting, as the Little Flowers Catholic Dance and Theatre Troupe's second performance of the Seven Last Words of Christ was this evening for an audience of over 1,000. There was, indeed, a great deal of talent. But it was all for Him. And to Him be the glory!

My heart is very full, but as it is late I must leave it at this. Perhaps I shall have the chance soon to reflect in greater detail on the overwhelming grace-filled events of the past few days.

In the meantime, make sure you don't miss the incredible daily Holy Week mediations over at Homeschooling with Joy, featuring magnificent snapshots from the above performances!

Let us surrender our hearts to Him this Holy Week!

Rapt in Wonder

Yesterday's performance of the Seven Last Words of Christ was... glorious. Beyond words. And because it was, I won't spend time grasping at them and trying to describe it. I will just send you right over to Lady of the Rose, where she has posted some absolutely stunning photographs taken by her mom. They are worth thousands of words. I can think of no better offering of a meditation for you as this Holy Week begins.

Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming...

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Spring...almost!

Today is actually beginning to feel like Spring! It's almost 60 degrees, the blue sky is cheery and bright, and sun's rays are actually... warm. :) So wonderful! I pulled out a new minty-green linen skirt that I've been waiting to wear until it was warm enough!

One of the reasons for the light blogging of late is the performance explained here. In fact, I'm on my way out the door to a rehearsal now. More later...

Huckabee is not disappearing

...and neither is Huck's Army.

I've wanted for several days to post on the election developments since last Tuesday's primaries. But now I can do nothing better than point you to an outstanding just-released article by Alex and Brett Harris. I could not do any better trying to sum up my own thoughts on Huckabee's campaign... and its impact on the future of politics.

Huck'sArmy.com blazes an Internet trail

"As first-time voters and teenage members of the Web-savvy Generation Y, we've been right in the middle of one of the clearest themes in the 2008 presidential primaries: More than Howard Dean in 2004, the Internet really does
change everything.

From Ron Paul's impressive online fundraising and Barack Obama's slick social networks to Hillary Clinton's online "conversations" and the quirky CNN/YouTube debates, the Internet has played a bigger role in selecting our next president than ever before.

But none of these provide the best example of how the Internet is changing the political landscape. No, the true trail blazers of Election 2008 were the members of HucksArmy.com, an independent, national, grass-roots campaign for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the surprise candidate of the primary season.

...For a candidate who started with little name recognition and who always operated with less staff and resources than his rivals, the impact of this new breed of grass roots was truly remarkable. It propelled Huckabee from his position as a political asterisk to eight primary wins, including a stunning upset in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and a surprising five-state haul on Super Tuesday. Four days later, he shocked the world again, trouncing McCain in Kansas by a 3-to-1 margin, winning the Louisiana primary and placing a close second in Washington state.

...In recent days we've been asked repeatedly what all this means. With Huckabee leaving the race after McCain clinched the nomination on Tuesday, was it worth it? Will Huck's Army be anything more than a curious footnote in the virtual pages of Wikipedia?

We believe the answer is yes, and we're determined that it will be. The Internet may have made it possible, but Huck's Army was more than just the Internet. Huckabee inspired a movement. His message and ideas captured hearts and minds alike. And we're still here.

Members of Huck's Army can articulate issues, principles and a positive conservatism. We're a new generation of conservatives who recognize that a consistent conservative philosophy can speak to demographics and issues where
Republicans traditionally have failed.

Huckabee was opposed by the Republican establishment and ultimately fell short, but his ability to connect with the people cannot be denied. It reminds us of another candidate who failed in his first presidential bid -- 12 years before we were even born -- but who spent the next four years building a coalition that led to victory in 1980 and 1984: Ronald Reagan.

...Call us young idealists, but it was worth it -- and it's not over."

Read the whole article here!

What We Can Bring

"Women are called

to bring to the family,

to society, and to the Church,

characteristics which are their own

and which they alone can give:

their gentle warmth

and untiring generosity,

their love for detail,

their quick-wittedness and intuition,

their simple and deep piety,

their constancy."

- St. Josemaria Escriva

Thanks

Well, it seems that all I need do is have a birthday and leave the blog for a few days, and two of my goddaughters will take it over with posts that make me blush, and cry, and laugh!

Jesting aside, I was (and am) most honored and humbled by their words of kindness. I was blessed with a quiet, though lovely, 20th Birthday...

Thank you, everyone, for your kind well wishes and comments! And thank you, Veronica and Amanda for your wonderful "surprises". I love you both!

Surprise!

A maidenly lily, as

Pure as the snow

With a spirit of fire

And a heart that's aglow

With a passionate love

For Our Divine Lord

And a devotion to the heart

Pierced by the sword.

Claire, you are my inspiration

the one who lights my way.

Your modesty, your kindness, your generosity,

your patience, your hospitality

your virtue, your love for Christ and for others...

... encourage me to try harder, to "do hard things" ;)

to be the person God is calling me to be.

When I am having a bad day, am depressed or sad,

you always comfort me and bring the love of Christ to my soul.

A "lily of light"

Blessed my you be,

On the day of your birth

And for all eternity.

My godmother,
My friend,

The older sister I've never had

I love you.

Happy Birthday!

With love from "your Rose",

Amanda

A Rose...

...slowly opening, slowly becoming a beautiful bloom.

...A Rose...that started breathing 20 years ago today.

...A Rose...with a beautiful name and a special purpose...















Happy Birthday Claire!

All our Love,

Dad, Mom

Sarah, Veronica and David