Amen, Gloria!

Hat tip to Cheryl

You Must Be Catholic

You must be Catholic or madly in love,” said the gas station attendant as I escorted 7 sleepy children past the candy isle to the restroom. It was 2:00 am and we were only halfway to our destination.

“Both,” I replied with a wink and a grin. It was a pleasant change from the stale comments I usually get from strangers in public places:
“Don’t you know what causes that?”
            Duh- yeah, I think we’ve perfected it.
“Haven’t you got a TV?”
            Yes, we have a TV. But we have an even better marriage.


But this nameless gentleman at the Quick Stop was right on the money. I am very much enamoured with my husband and my Catholic faith, because both are teaching me how to live richly in the fullness of love.


How I wish those lessons had been well received earlier in life!  You see, at the rebellious know it all age  tender young age of 16, I was well versed in the pop culture version of counterfeit love and feminism.  I knew how to define my own standards of right and wrong and be fiercely independent. I was totally free from those guilt trips and social constraints that shackled generations before me. Funny how, after a while, all that freedom began to weigh on my heart, like an anchor dragging me ever deeper into the Culture of Death. Somewhere at the bottom of all that muck, I found my soul and decided that I wanted to live- REALLY LIVE! A wisp of a voice within was urging me to break out of the cycle of using and being used- of manipulating and being manipulated, of narcissism and daring to be my own god.  All I really wanted was what everyone desires; to be understood, accepted, and loved just for my own sake. From then on, I chose life- -
the Culture of Life.


Like the prodigal son I took the long way home, and found that love was waiting for me the whole time. I met my husband along the way and we learned from the Master Lover together. After all, the essence of God is Love. I don’t mean the Hollywood version you hear about on the Top 10 song charts, but the “lay down my life and sacrifice everything for you” type of love. That is the beauty of our Catholic faith. We are not called to obey an arbitrary set of do’s and don’t’s to please an oppressive ruler. We are called to be united; body, mind and soul, to love. United to the lover who sacrificed everything for us. It is in the marital embrace that male and female become the image of God. All of creation is ordered to that end. Every relationship I have brings me closer to the realization of that ultimate communion. We were meant to live for another; this truth is engraved on our very bodies. Even the unity I share with my husband in our marital embrace reflects an attribute of God, Himself, and foreshadows that union which He has planned for His bride, the church. That is why our marriage must be loving and life giving, not selfish and sterile.  Nothing artificial can come between us if our love is to be authentic. No manipulative games, no pretense, no latex or chemicals. Just the 2 of us, giving ourselves as a gift for the other. We give everything--all of our love, our fidelity, our trust, our hopes, our dreams, and yes- even our fertility ….au naturel.


Is it always sweetness and nice? Hardly. We’ve carried a lot of baggage into our marriage from those earlier years of living in the muck. There is also that pesky original sin business that keeps getting in the way of perfect harmony. Weeding out the selfishness in our hearts is difficult and often painful. But growth and maturity come with those growing pains. How many couples never experience the real deal because at the first difficult struggle they bail out of the relationship? Sure we all enjoy the Joyful Mysteries of life, but if we refuse to work through the Sorrowful Mysteries, we can never reach the Glorious. 


Dear Husband and I have learned so much over the years:

·        He has learned to respect and appreciate the natural rhythm of my body and psyche. Our union is both procreative and unitive by God’s design. It is a beautiful thing. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Mark 10:9

·        I have learned that a man who has mastered his passions has a strength about him that it is extremely attractive and desirable.

·        We’ve learned patience during times of continence.

·        We’ve learned that NFP is very effective for postponing pregnancy, when practiced; though it is a joint effort which requires delicate charity and frequent communication about the most intimate things.  *Not to be confused with MGDNFP, which is much less effective for spacing children.  Large quantities of MGD (Miller Genuine Draft) has a significant impact on NFP decision making skills.  

·        We’ve learned that children are a gift from God and not the scourge of society that many would have us think.  There is no need for us to protect ourselves from sugar and spice or snakes and snails. They are all made of love. And what better way to understand what it means to be created in His image, than to behold our own features and mannerisms in our children? Each one is a unique, unrepeatable creation, yet so much like us at the same time. And in case there is any doubt, know that love in a big family is never divided. It multiplies.

·        We’ve learned that taking God (Who is Love) out of the bedroom, has undeniable consequences:  Male + Female - God= No love.                        Do the math. If you don’t believe me, just Google the stats.

I have no doubt the man at the gas station had been well schooled in these love lessons. He knew that I needed a word of encouragement especially at 2:00 am, in this world which can be oddly hostile to the Culture of Life. I remember him every time I see a young mother balancing an infant carrier, a diaper bag, a purse, and her purchases, while trying to hold onto a toddler or two. That is my opportunity to pay it forward. 

Classically Catholic

Guard Yourself, Guard Your Children

From Government mandated Gardisil:
Take control of your health by educating yourself. Informed consent! Begin with the help of Mercola. Follow up with the National Vaccine Information Center. We need all the watchdogs we can access in this political climate.

Doesn't Surprise Me At All

After my baby had a horrendous reaction to her vaccination,I began researching the negative effects on the Internet. I was stunned by innumerable reports of shocking side effects and court cases involving immunizations-- but nothing was as troubling as the reports of the World Health Organization using our tax dollars to fund tetanus vaccines laced with a sterilizing hormone to unknowing females of child bearing age in the Philippines. Turns out the campaign to eliminate poverty meant eliminating the impoverished. And not just in the Philippines. Read more here.

Then there is Merck's use of aborted fetal tissue to produce vaccines such as the MMR. Hence my decision to stop the indiscriminate vaccination of my children. Use the link to see what is being pumped into your child's body, because heaven knows they aren't going to tell you. Simple informed consent. That's all I ask.

So I suppose this information should come as no surprise....



HT to Parenting Freedom

Call Your Mother

She hasn't heard from you in decades....

H/T Jenshenspen

Population Concerns

When we visited Italy at the end of the Jubilee Year, we were surprised that our large family was drawing so much attention. We had a misguided notion that we would fit right in as a big Italian Catholic family. A wonderful priest from Malta spoke to us about the need for Catholics to witness to the Culture of Life by following church teachings on openness to life. He was enamored with the children and encouraged them to pray for us (their parents) often.

This mysterious priest also warned that Italy was in danger of losing it's cultural identity since the Muslim population had been replacing Italians at an alarming rate. Interesting what would happen if Europe hadn't abandoned it's Catholic identity and if we all lived in a manner in keeping with our dignity as Christians. But God does not impose His will on us if we persist in sin. He simply gives us over to our sinfulness to reap the fruits of what we have sown.

Prayer: God's Love Language

The rosary is an integral part of our lives, and 3 times each month we have the special devotion to Our Lady under the title Pilgrim Queen of the Family. Yes, prayer is God's Love Language.



Salve Regina sung by Eduardo; Awesome!
Hat tip to Under Her Starry Mantle.
Gratias

Population Concerns

Thoughts to consider ...

"According to the United Nations Population Division discussing the 2007 population changes in Eastern and Central Europe: “The expected global upheaval is without parallel in human history.” Germany’s population is down 10.3 %, Poland’s is down 20.5%, the Russian Federation’s is down 24.3%, and Bulgaria dropped 35.2%. The only population increase in Western Europe will be due to the large migration from Africa and Asia. There are pockets of growth here and there, but this is due to Muslim populations. For instance, among the districts in Russia there are exceptions to the dying trends — the high abortion, high HIV infection, low birthrate, high alcoholism and other social ills. Twelve of the eighty-nine Russian federal regions showing substantial population growth are Islamic regions. Islam is growing rapidly in a country where the native population is in the death throes. This is a country awash in natural resources except the most important one — people. It possesses a resource — rich eastern hinterland that it cannot get to without people. It is also the land of nuclear weapons and know-how. The future possibilities are frightening."

The Hour is Late...read more here.

A Friend of a Friend

Thanks, Elaine, for sharing this beautiful video of your friends with us. Thanks also for the service of your husband for our protection.

Letter to Payton

Dear Mom and Dad,

Payton here. Wow, I just found out that I weigh 13 ounces, I am growing into such a big boy already, and there's so much more of me to come. I hope you are as excited as I am about this journey we are on together, Get ready! By the way, I had a talk with my Grandma last night and she told me you were very worried about me. I told her there may be a lot to think about, but there is nothing to worry about, because I am part of God's great plan! I am holding Jesus in a special spot in my heart, and it is just as bright as His light is to remind us that I am His gift to you. I don't really want to worry you already, being that I am not even old enough to get into trouble yet. Just give me time to get there so I can act like my Daddy when he was a small boy (my other Grandma told me that part), then I promise that I will earn all the worries that you could possibly imagine. Grandma said you guys should

"Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety, and Let God's peace guard your heart against the pain, and when the clouds roll in, and you need a friend, you can trust in Him!"

Ok I am kind of tired now, since Grandma and I were up all night talking and all, so I am going to take a nap. When I wake up I am going to KICK you to remind you that I am keeping an eye on you and I don't want you to be worried anymore!

Sincerely,

Your Loving, Sweet, Precious, Adorable, Irresistible, Rambunctious, Trouble Making, Keep You Up all Night, Favorite, & Extremely Handsome Son! :>)

My grand nephew is a beautiful red-headed cutie. He is here today because of his family's love and commitment to life. When my niece went in for a routine ultrasound, the technician found a spot on his heart. The news sent shock waves and prayer chains through the family. I was able to share with my niece the experiences I have had over the years with pediatric neonatologists and genetic counselors, in an effort to reassure her that no matter the result, God was in control. Since most of my children were born when I was over the age of (ahemm) 30, and since there is a strong history of genetic neurological issues in my husband's immediate family, every pregnancy was "high risk." I have had more ultrasounds than I care to count. We participated in genetic counseling with last pregnancy because of a kidney malfunction that required monthly monitoring. It was our opinion that we should know as much information as possible to be certain that the right staff was present during the birth to handle any complications.

The neonatologist, on the other hand, had a different agenda. Every ultra sound appointment turned into his soapbox for encouraging further tests (amniocentesis among others) in order to determine whether or not to proceed with the pregnancy. Despite my insistence that termination was not an option, the "specialist" continued spouting all of the reasons I should reconsider. He was constantly quoting statistics of women my age with certain "markers" being at risk for delivering a baby with Down Syndrome. Ok, I accept that. Well he did not accept my answer. His response was that I only think I could deal with it, but the reality would be like being "hit in the head with a brick." (His exact words) So I told the doctor that my brother-in-law, who has his own special needs, lived with us. He argued that it would be different for my own child. I told him of my beautiful support group of homeschooling moms and about the wonderfully generous families in our circles who have opened their homes and hearts to children with a variety of medical and neuroloigical concerns. But he was relentless in quoting those statistics. How can I soften this man's heart? My number one question was,

"What are the chances of giving birth to a highly intelligent child that could breeze through medical school, then choose to specialize in persuading women to abort their precious babies? That would REALLY scare me!"

Needless to say, I agreed to continue the regimen of ultrasounds ONLY if I did not have to meet with the neonatologist again. His nurse practitioner, who was very sensitive to my concerns, agreed to see me for future appointments. Being a witness to life can be tiresome, but so necessary. I am grateful for the beautiful witness of Sarah Palin which is much more far reaching than my own little story. But even if we are not in the limelight, we can stand for life and touch lives one at a time.

Below is a letter from my niece following her scare at the OB office:

Aunt Suzanne,
Thank you so much for your prayers! We have been sending up many as well. I am feeling much better about the entire situation. I just wish that they hadn't told me, it would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress. An echogenic focus of the heart ventricle is not a birth defect, but simply a "red flag" for Down syndrome. According to the doctor, 70% of all Down babies will show abnormal growth patterns in addition to the focus. Based on my age, the chances of my baby having Down Syndrome is 1 in 278. My blood results came back negative so we really have nothing to worry about. If despite all odds our baby does have Down's, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. At first, I thought the baby had a heart defect when they told me about the "echogenic focus on the left ventricle." I was relieved to find out that his heart was ok! In my mind, a heart defect would be much worse.

Mom's letter was the sweetest and most comforting thing ever! I am so proud to have such a wonderful and supportive family! Payton is one lucky boy to get us as we are to get him as well. I think that Payton and Slade will have lots of fun together, just like Taylor and I did when we were little!

Cant wait to see you guys at the baby shower! Tell everyone HI for me!!