We took a family "rosary-walk" tonight at dusk — such a tranquil time. All was still. The inky silhouettes of the trees lay against the smooth indigo sky.
Dad likes to for us all to stay near each other as we pray the rosary, so he has us walk in two lines of three, holding hands. For a time, I ended up between Mom and Dad. It's been a long time since I've had one of my hands in each of theirs. It was comforting and secure...for a bit I felt like a small girl again.
I am infinitely blessed with parents who are selfless, wise, and so present. Any gifts and strengths that have been cultivated in me have been largely from their loving training. From the haven of a home filled with Faith and growing in love by the grace of God working through and despite our human struggles.
This kind of home is recognized by many, including our Holy Fathers, as crucial to the growth and health of society.
“Many people ask: why are families so important? Why does the Church so insist on the topic of marriage and the family? The reason is simple, even if not everyone can understand it: the future of the human person, his happiness, his capacity for giving life meaning all depend on the family… As the family goes, so goes the world.” (John Paul II)
“The family is a kind of school of deeper humanity. But if it is to achieve the full flowering of its life and mission, it needs the kindly communion of minds and the joint deliberation of spouses, as well as the painstaking cooperation of parents in the education of their children.” (Gaudium et Spies: The Church in the Modern World)
“Today, if they are to give a truly human face to society, no people can ignore the precious good of the family, founded on marriage.” (Benedict XVI)
Let us pray for the healing of the family. For the restoration of homes where prayer, work, play, and service foster the kind of unity that in turn, strengthens all of society!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Simple Joy
is taking a walk home from Mass with your ten-year-old brother on a breezy Spring morning and laughing together at all kinds of wonderful discoveries.
At a squirrel that didn't realize we were near him (and nor did we, for that matter) until we were right next to his little tree, and then bolted for dear life across the sidewalk...about two feet in front of us.
At tulips with pointed petals.
At what David says he was "99.9 percent sure" were springs of poison ivy growing along the sidewalk. "Add about a million nines after that point," he said. I believe him, too — that boy has a positive knack for spotting and correctly identifying poison ivy.
At random patches of perfect violets, especially the variegated ones that are white along the edges but the loveliest pale purple in the middle. We both exclaimed at those... and tried to capture them with the cell phone camera.
At the charmingest house (I know, that's probably not a word, but it should be). Don't ask me why I've never noticed it before. It looks like it could be right out of a book, or a movie. Ivy clung to the antique yellow stone walls, complete with arches and such. The fact that it was somewhat set higher than the road added to its allure. Even the yard was unusual, with a little brick walkway along the house and things growing here and there. We felt like were looking at a kind of cross between a Victorian cottage, English Tudor, and miniature castle!
At little white blossoms growing directly from the fat limb of a tree!
At a literal blanket of petals in one yard — the work of the big, beautiful magnolia succumbing to the tugging breeze.
...At the gentle beauty of spring, bursting forth in all its splendor.
At a squirrel that didn't realize we were near him (and nor did we, for that matter) until we were right next to his little tree, and then bolted for dear life across the sidewalk...about two feet in front of us.
At tulips with pointed petals.
At what David says he was "99.9 percent sure" were springs of poison ivy growing along the sidewalk. "Add about a million nines after that point," he said. I believe him, too — that boy has a positive knack for spotting and correctly identifying poison ivy.
At random patches of perfect violets, especially the variegated ones that are white along the edges but the loveliest pale purple in the middle. We both exclaimed at those... and tried to capture them with the cell phone camera.
At the charmingest house (I know, that's probably not a word, but it should be). Don't ask me why I've never noticed it before. It looks like it could be right out of a book, or a movie. Ivy clung to the antique yellow stone walls, complete with arches and such. The fact that it was somewhat set higher than the road added to its allure. Even the yard was unusual, with a little brick walkway along the house and things growing here and there. We felt like were looking at a kind of cross between a Victorian cottage, English Tudor, and miniature castle!
At little white blossoms growing directly from the fat limb of a tree!
At a literal blanket of petals in one yard — the work of the big, beautiful magnolia succumbing to the tugging breeze.
...At the gentle beauty of spring, bursting forth in all its splendor.
Sweetness
Last night, thanks to the invitation of a professional violinist with whom we've had the chance to become aquinted with recently, I had the opportunity to see Rachel Barton play in person — for free! (It was a final rehearsal for the a nearby concert she's playing this weekend...we all got to go.)
It was sublime. So incredible that a person can take that instrument and bring from it such sweetness! It's the kind of sound in which one can simply melt. Just amazing.
Our violinist friend summed it up exactly, I think: "She has an absolute gift from God".
It was sublime. So incredible that a person can take that instrument and bring from it such sweetness! It's the kind of sound in which one can simply melt. Just amazing.
Our violinist friend summed it up exactly, I think: "She has an absolute gift from God".
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Secrets of the Eucharist
Let's just continue our Sacramental theme, shall we? :) We hosted a meeting tonight for the parents of our First Communicants at St. Joseph's, and so last week I searched around for a Eucharistic "teaching" film to show them. I found Seven Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn. All of us really need to make sure we are continually re-energizing our understanding of what and Who the Eucharist is. If we don't, it can all too easily become thoughtless monotony.
This talk, based off of Mr. Flynn's book by the same name, does just that: wakes and shakes us up to profound reality of this gift! He highlighted how the effectiveness of the Sacrament is directly proportional to our participation in it. He takes what may sound at first like simple or even obvious points and completely lights them up. For example: the Eucharist is alive. When we receive our Lord, it is not the dead Jesus but the living one! We receive the presence of the whole Trinity as Father and Holy Spirit come to us with Jesus! We receive the presence of all of heaven, angels and saints, as they come to us with Him!
I especially loved Mr. Flynn's explanation of Spiritual Communion. Wow... it's so much more than most of us think! He shares a beautiful prayer: "Jesus, lock me in the tabernacle with You." There is a lot to be meditated on in that tiny little prayer...
What I most appreciated was how everything he explained was based off of writings of the Popes, Saints, and Divine Revelations such as Our Lord to St. Faustina. So solid. So good.
At the very end, he mentions how a whole chapter of Pope John Paul's Eucharistic Encyclical was dedicated to Our Lady. He then goes on to share some of the most beautiful titles for her... such as the First Tabernacle, the first Eucharistic procession (when she bore Jesus and went to Elizabeth!), and the Living Monstrance.
He also drove home how crucial it is for us to enter into communion with Our Lord, not just passively receive Him. It really struck me when he said that one could receive Holy Communion every day of their life, but remain unchanged if they're not desiring and working toward and praying for closer union with Christ!
The summary of it all is this: we can transform both our own lives and life of the Church through the life and power of the Eucharist... if only we desire it.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sealed in the Spirit
Tonight, the twenty-one students of my Religious Education Class at St. Joseph's in Joliet received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the hands of our Bishop J. Peter Sartain. Preparing them the past two years, and being intimately involved in the Liturgy and celebration has in a very tangible way been somewhat of a "reliving" of my own Confirmation eight years ago. The articles, stories, quotes, and teachings that I've looked up and prepared for my students have been just as much a blessing for me.
I especially love this excerpt which I found in an article on CatholicCulture.org (that website is a gem!):
Confirmation marks one's spiritual growing up. With Confirmation he is launched on the social aspect of his spiritual life, with which goes an even greater obligation to pursue his own sanctification. But self-sanctification is now dependent upon his relationship with all men. With Confirmation, he is equipped, by the strengthening in him of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to look at the world with new eyes, to desire its conquest for Christ with new love. He sees more clearly (if he is helped to see by his parents and teachers) what it means to be a member of the Mystical Body. Like a cell in his own body, he is a cell in the Body of Christ. Each cell is important, a part of a whole. Without it, the whole would be less whole. If one cell is sick (in sin), the whole is less well. Now he begins to see that it is up to him, as well as to the other members of the Body, to work for the total health of the Body; not only that — but to work for the further growth of the Body.
The absolute beauty of the Mystical Body of Christ is something that has, and continues to leave me awestruck — especially in the last year or two. Recently a seminarian friend coined a phrase that I thought summed it up perfectly: the interconnectedness of the Body of Christ. It is so, so much more connected than I think any of us realize. It's incredibly powerful to realize the truth of the above text: we literally and directly affect the life and health of the whole body. Amazing!
It was truly bittersweet to watch my spiritual children receive this Sacrament tonight. It's near the end of our time together so far (only 3 more classes before the school year ends), but I hope and pray that much more than an end, it is a bright new beginning for them. One of my students' mothers asked me tonight if I was nervous. And while I wouldn't describe myself as that, there were plenty of other emotions swirling around my mind and heart this evening.
And oh, but I so love our bishop. I was cheering (silently, of course) from the choir loft as he gave his final message to the youth. With authority and yet tenderness, he said some of the very same key points I've tried so hard to drive home for them this year: Confirmation is not the same thing as graduation. This doesn't mean you are done learning the Faith. This doesn't mean Religious Education is done for you!
Forgive me if I my reflection here is somewhat disjointed tonight. I wish I could summarize here somehow the culmination of graces for me the past few months. I feel as though I've had greater contemplation, and less spoken words than typical for me (perhaps my family wouldn't agree, but it seems so to me!). I am usually one to whom words come fairly easily, even about relatively awkward or in-depth topics. There are plenty of times lately, however, when I'm caught up in a kind of interior thought and find myself not saying much... or it's almost difficult when I do.
It might sound strange, but at times like these there is such a strange mixture of emotion when it comes to writing (at least, to blogging). My head and heart are simply brimming with things about which I wish to write, but interestingly, I'm almost reluctant to do so... as if I'm fearful that I won't have the time to do justice to the beauty or depth of the topic.
The Holy Spirit was indeed present in a very real way tonight. And He has been in many of our classes. There are days when I can stand up in front of those twenty-one seventh and eighth graders and know that He has taken over the words coming out of my mouth. And then I wish the clock would stop moving! I just hope that I have given these young people a glimpse into the treasure chest (rather, the gold mine) that is our Faith.
Father, grasp them in the palm of Your Hand. Son, encircle them in the abode of Your Heart, Holy Spirit, inflame them with the all-consuming fire of Your Love!
I especially love this excerpt which I found in an article on CatholicCulture.org (that website is a gem!):
Confirmation marks one's spiritual growing up. With Confirmation he is launched on the social aspect of his spiritual life, with which goes an even greater obligation to pursue his own sanctification. But self-sanctification is now dependent upon his relationship with all men. With Confirmation, he is equipped, by the strengthening in him of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to look at the world with new eyes, to desire its conquest for Christ with new love. He sees more clearly (if he is helped to see by his parents and teachers) what it means to be a member of the Mystical Body. Like a cell in his own body, he is a cell in the Body of Christ. Each cell is important, a part of a whole. Without it, the whole would be less whole. If one cell is sick (in sin), the whole is less well. Now he begins to see that it is up to him, as well as to the other members of the Body, to work for the total health of the Body; not only that — but to work for the further growth of the Body.
The absolute beauty of the Mystical Body of Christ is something that has, and continues to leave me awestruck — especially in the last year or two. Recently a seminarian friend coined a phrase that I thought summed it up perfectly: the interconnectedness of the Body of Christ. It is so, so much more connected than I think any of us realize. It's incredibly powerful to realize the truth of the above text: we literally and directly affect the life and health of the whole body. Amazing!
It was truly bittersweet to watch my spiritual children receive this Sacrament tonight. It's near the end of our time together so far (only 3 more classes before the school year ends), but I hope and pray that much more than an end, it is a bright new beginning for them. One of my students' mothers asked me tonight if I was nervous. And while I wouldn't describe myself as that, there were plenty of other emotions swirling around my mind and heart this evening.
And oh, but I so love our bishop. I was cheering (silently, of course) from the choir loft as he gave his final message to the youth. With authority and yet tenderness, he said some of the very same key points I've tried so hard to drive home for them this year: Confirmation is not the same thing as graduation. This doesn't mean you are done learning the Faith. This doesn't mean Religious Education is done for you!
Forgive me if I my reflection here is somewhat disjointed tonight. I wish I could summarize here somehow the culmination of graces for me the past few months. I feel as though I've had greater contemplation, and less spoken words than typical for me (perhaps my family wouldn't agree, but it seems so to me!). I am usually one to whom words come fairly easily, even about relatively awkward or in-depth topics. There are plenty of times lately, however, when I'm caught up in a kind of interior thought and find myself not saying much... or it's almost difficult when I do.
It might sound strange, but at times like these there is such a strange mixture of emotion when it comes to writing (at least, to blogging). My head and heart are simply brimming with things about which I wish to write, but interestingly, I'm almost reluctant to do so... as if I'm fearful that I won't have the time to do justice to the beauty or depth of the topic.
The Holy Spirit was indeed present in a very real way tonight. And He has been in many of our classes. There are days when I can stand up in front of those twenty-one seventh and eighth graders and know that He has taken over the words coming out of my mouth. And then I wish the clock would stop moving! I just hope that I have given these young people a glimpse into the treasure chest (rather, the gold mine) that is our Faith.
Father, grasp them in the palm of Your Hand. Son, encircle them in the abode of Your Heart, Holy Spirit, inflame them with the all-consuming fire of Your Love!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Glimpses
...at just a few of the goings-on of the past few weeks! Perhaps this can make up a bit for my extended absence here. :)
Suzuki music lessons have kept me busy!
A sweet moment...
Appassionata played and sang for a First Communion a few weeks ago
A baking project -- by many hands!
Our young griller... now that the weather's warming, he's done quite a bit of this lately!
...and mine.
St. Faustina (a.k.a. Sarah) visited our parish for a special presentation!
"My Jesus, I want to love You as no human soul has ever loved You before; and although I am utterly miserable and small, I have nevertheless cast the anchor of my trust deep down into the abyss of Your mercy, O my God and Creator!" (Saint Faustina Kowalska)
Sarah was a Confirmation sponsor a few weekends ago, and Veronica made these beautiful nosegays for her and her goddaughter
A close-up
Suzuki music lessons have kept me busy!
My little students are so enjoyable
Spending quality time with Grandma Jan at her favorite place: Culver's. (Actually, this was back in March, but I thought I'd include it anyway!)
A sweet moment...
Appassionata played and sang for a First Communion a few weeks ago
Veronica, inspired by online photos of a "Friends" necklaces priced at $40 each, turned around and made these for a fraction of that!
My goddaughters (Veronica and Amanda) modeling their new necklaces
A baking project -- by many hands!
Our young griller... now that the weather's warming, he's done quite a bit of this lately! 
At a recent Little Flowers Senior Club meeting, we had the opportunity to decorate cakes. As this is not something I often have the time for, it was a lot of fun!
Sarah's cake...
...and mine. Easter 2008 Snapshot
Blessings! I hope and pray to be able to "return" with some more substantial writing soon.
Wow
Mrs. Hammond just had this quote from St. Ambrose on her blog...
"Chastity will be lost where the distinction between the sexes is not observed."
-St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397AD)
Are we seeing it... or are we seeing it?
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Excellent
Lady Clare from Romance and the Roses very sweetly awarded me with this a few weeks ago. Thank you, Clare!
I'm supposed to award it to ten others, but I think I will just keep it simple and say that if you're on my sidebar, you are one of my favorites and I hereby award it to you!
The occasion calls for a quote :)...
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
-Aristotle
Book Bomb Praise Report!
Well, Spring is here (I think), and so am I! I've so many post ideas swirling around in my head that I need to make time to write!
First of all, I neglected to follow-up after my Do Hard Things Amazon.com Book Bomb plug. Thanks to our Lord's goodness prompting thousands of passionate youth and adults who have faith in our generation, on March 25th we took Do Hard Things from #625 to #5 of Amazon.com's bestsellers and #1 in the Christianity section! I hope and pray this is indicative of a transformation happening in my generation. Glory be to God for the great things He has done!
If you haven't heard of this book yet or you're wondering what on earth a "book bomb" is, visit here.
First of all, I neglected to follow-up after my Do Hard Things Amazon.com Book Bomb plug. Thanks to our Lord's goodness prompting thousands of passionate youth and adults who have faith in our generation, on March 25th we took Do Hard Things from #625 to #5 of Amazon.com's bestsellers and #1 in the Christianity section! I hope and pray this is indicative of a transformation happening in my generation. Glory be to God for the great things He has done!
If you haven't heard of this book yet or you're wondering what on earth a "book bomb" is, visit here.
Charlton Heston... Rest in Peace
"I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses...
and that's probably enough for any man."
"Political correctness is simply tyranny with manners."
"You can spend a lifetime, and, if you're honest with yourself,
never once was your work perfect."
"It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it."
-Charlton Heston
Monday, March 24, 2008
My generation needs to prove the world WRONG
...and tomorrow we have an opportunity to help do just that.
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!
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!
Indeed, He is Risen!
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
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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!
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!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
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...
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...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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.
"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!
Friday, March 07, 2008
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!
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!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
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
Saturday, March 01, 2008
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!
Happy Birthday Claire!
All our Love,
Dad, Mom
Sarah, Veronica and David
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