I am disappointed...and sad. I've decided, however, to be joyful. It's a choice. These are snippets of thoughts I've read, heard or been given that allow me to sing a new song.
I will celebrate my Risen Lord in the face of evil and sin.
We are not made for the sin and death of this world, but for eternal life in the next -- it's right that we're at odds with the evil of this world.
We understand more fully how the oppressed people of Israel felt as they cried out to God for Messiah in the face of a pagan culture so abrasive to their own -- we must be patient and hopeful as we pour ourselves out to God in the face of this culture of death.
WHILE HE WAS BEING STONED, St. Stephen cried out to God in hope and joy and asked for forgiveness for the people murdering him. We are to forgive and fight with all our might with spiritual weapons, while serving God with our whole body, mind and soul.
We participate fully in Christ's crucifixion and death and the darkness of the tomb, however..."We are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song." - St. Augustine of Hippo
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sick at heart
I have been sick to my stomach for weeks, now. The idea that Obama could win makes me ill. The idea that people I know (several people I know have specifically told me) will be voting for him on Tuesday. To willingly choose to usher in someone who has promised to wipe away all the parental notification laws (a teen needs parental permission for the school to give asprin, but doesn't need to notify about an invasive proceedure to kill their grandchild), all the waiting periods (waiting periods on guns which is potentially life threatening, where abortion is completely life ending) and everything else pro-life Democrats and Republicans and Independants have voted for in their individual states -- all would be wiped away in his signing the Freedom of Choice Act - a bill he's promised to sign as his first act as president.
My friends and family have given various reasons for voting for Obama : socialized medicine, being against the war, he's soft-spoken so he must virtuous.... none of it stands up to over 1 million babies' lives per year.
The next president will name 2-3 Supreme Court Justices! That means their choices will have huge influence over our nation for 25-35 years! And not just our nation, but all over the world MY TAX DOLLARS would support abortions! By paying my taxes, doesn't that make me complicit in evil?
I am in fear of him - and the knowledge that people I dearly love would help him...makes me feel so sick...all I can do is pray and continue to pray. I am praying. I received an email requesting "pray the Divine Mercy chaplet three times and to insert 'our country' in the chaplet prayer said on each of the small beads: 'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on our country, and on the whole world".
My friends and family have given various reasons for voting for Obama : socialized medicine, being against the war, he's soft-spoken so he must virtuous.... none of it stands up to over 1 million babies' lives per year.
The next president will name 2-3 Supreme Court Justices! That means their choices will have huge influence over our nation for 25-35 years! And not just our nation, but all over the world MY TAX DOLLARS would support abortions! By paying my taxes, doesn't that make me complicit in evil?
I am in fear of him - and the knowledge that people I dearly love would help him...makes me feel so sick...all I can do is pray and continue to pray. I am praying. I received an email requesting "pray the Divine Mercy chaplet three times and to insert 'our country' in the chaplet prayer said on each of the small beads: 'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on our country, and on the whole world".
Monday, October 27, 2008
Advent - Jesse Tree
We like doing a Jesse Tree. We like the kids understanding that throughout history, our world has been gearing up for the great event of Christ's comming. That Kings (David) and murderers (Moses) have participated in the story of salvation and pre-figured Christ. That they, too, participate in this universe-shattering event.
This year, a WONDERFUL (and slightly fool-hearty, *Hi, Nancy!*) friend organized a Jesse Tree ornament swap for our homeschool group. We've got 10 families participating, so we'll each make 10 copies of 3 different ornaments.
Organizing the swap Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 plus GREAT PICS!
This lady has a post of her own for organizing a swap, so you'll have to go there.
Beautiful felt pillow-type
Recipe for Baker's Clay for ornaments that look like these.
I don't know if these are made from metal or paper, but they're striking from Catholic Company.com
Regular ornaments turned into Jesse Tree Ornaments
These could be printed, colored & laminated or copied onto shrinky dink or someother kewl idea you might have -- great representations fancy, simple (these are the ones we did one year), a little larger ornaments
Printable ornaments that are in color (these are so sweet) and circular ones in color that could be pasted directly onto a juice lid for stability.
Ornaments you can buy (these 3-D ones look very kewl!)
Patterns to purchase for embroidry or cross-stitch -- I think we'll do something similar for one of the ornaments this year.
Letter dated Oct 7th
Ladies, I know this seems early but I've been thinking about the Jesse Tree Idea that was in a Magazine last year. The basic idea is for each family to take one of the ornaments and make the same ornament for each family participating. Then we will have a different ornament made by a different family for each Scripture passage in the Jesse tree....
For example if my family were to be assigned Adam and Eve as our passage and we had 20 families participating we might make 20 apple ornaments. The ornaments can be as simple or as complicated as your family wanted them to be. You might even find what you are looking for already as the perfect ornament at the dollar store/hobby lobby etc. and that would be fine. The
fun is in the surprise and sharing with other families.
The Jesse tree that I usually do with my kids has 28 ornaments with scripture verses to go with each one for each day of advent. (the last 8 being the "O" Antiphons) If we have fewer families who are able to participate then we could either shorten the list or double up the ornaments.
If you think you are interested please let me know so that I can coordinate the number of verses we will have and find a meeting spot/time to swap the ornaments. I will need a definite number by October 20, to figure out the logistics of the swap and so that each family will have time to
complete their ornaments before Advent begins.
Letter Dated Oct 27th
We have 10 families who have agreed to participate in the Jesse Tree ornament Swap. The next step is for each family to choose how many different ornaments they are willing to make. I had a couple of people say they are willing to make 3 different ornaments meaning a total of 30 ornaments that their family will make for the group. If you can only get one set done that's fine.
I've decided to leave the O antiphons out this time around. Maybe next year we can try just those? They are a little bit more difficult to come up with a symbol that makes sense to the little kids. (I may just hang mine with the words as a type of garland on the tree.) If you find my list lacking in anyway feel free to complain. I checked so many different lists that this seemed the best one I could find, it was based on people and I thought the smallest kids could understand the symbols better than some of the lists with abstract concepts and symbols of those (like peace).
Okay so what do you need to do now?
Let me know which ornaments you'd like to do. Remember you'll make a duplicate of the ornament for each family participating. DO NOT START ON YOUR ORNAMENTS until I get back with a definite yes. I will sign everyone up first come first served. I know a couple of you are out of town right now but if I can have people get back to me by Monday Nov 3. I can get the list back some time later that week....
Basic guidelines as you start thinking about what you might want to do
1. Keep them between 1-3 inches so they can fit on a small tree or branch
2. have a way to hang it
3. be as creative as you have time for (you can cheat and buy them already done)
there are no real guidelines for materials . You can use clay, wood, etc... but
we all have small kids....glass might not be too durable.
4. you don't have to have your verse printed on the ornament...it's just for reference
I have read or sometimes just retold the verses to my kids....
I think that's it. If you have any other questions let me know.
1. CREATION
Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-4
2. ADAM AND EVE
Genesis 3:1-7
3. NOAH
Genesis 6:11-22; 9:8-13
4. ABRAHAM & SARAH
Genesis 12:1-7 and Hebrews 11:8
5. ISAAC & REBECCA
Genesis 22:1-7
6. JACOB & RACHEL
Genesis 28:10-22
7. JOSEPH
Genesis 37:1-4
8. MOSES
Exodus 20:1-17
9. AARON
Exodus 5:22, 11:5
10. JOSHUA
Joshua 6:20
11. SAMSON
Judges 16:21-30
12. RUTH
Ruth 1:15-18
13. JESSE
Isaiah 11:1-2
14. DAVID
Samuel 5:1-5
15. SOLOMON
1 kings 3:3-14
16. ELIJAH
2 Kings 2:11-18
17. ISAIAH
Isaiah 2:4;7:14:9:6-7
18. DANIEL
Daniel 6:10-23
19.JONAH
Jonah 1-4
20. ZECHARIAH & ELIZABETH
Luke 1:5-23
21. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Matthew 3 :1-11
22. ANNE & JOACHIM
23. MARY
Luke 1: 26 - 38
24. JOSEPH OF NAZARETH
Matthew 1:18 - 25
25. STAR OF BETHLEHEM
Matthew 2:1-12
26. SHEPHERDS
Luke 2:8-20
27. ANGEL
Luke 2:8-14
28. JESUS
Luke 2:1-20
Click here to see our finished results.
This year, a WONDERFUL (and slightly fool-hearty, *Hi, Nancy!*) friend organized a Jesse Tree ornament swap for our homeschool group. We've got 10 families participating, so we'll each make 10 copies of 3 different ornaments.
Below are some website I found to spark our creativity for our ornaments and Nancy's organization for the swap
.Organizing the swap Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 plus GREAT PICS!
This lady has a post of her own for organizing a swap, so you'll have to go there.
Beautiful felt pillow-type
Recipe for Baker's Clay for ornaments that look like these.
I don't know if these are made from metal or paper, but they're striking from Catholic Company.com
Regular ornaments turned into Jesse Tree Ornaments
These could be printed, colored & laminated or copied onto shrinky dink or someother kewl idea you might have -- great representations fancy, simple (these are the ones we did one year), a little larger ornaments
Printable ornaments that are in color (these are so sweet) and circular ones in color that could be pasted directly onto a juice lid for stability.
Ornaments you can buy (these 3-D ones look very kewl!)
Patterns to purchase for embroidry or cross-stitch -- I think we'll do something similar for one of the ornaments this year.
Letter dated Oct 7th
Ladies, I know this seems early but I've been thinking about the Jesse Tree Idea that was in a Magazine last year. The basic idea is for each family to take one of the ornaments and make the same ornament for each family participating. Then we will have a different ornament made by a different family for each Scripture passage in the Jesse tree....
For example if my family were to be assigned Adam and Eve as our passage and we had 20 families participating we might make 20 apple ornaments. The ornaments can be as simple or as complicated as your family wanted them to be. You might even find what you are looking for already as the perfect ornament at the dollar store/hobby lobby etc. and that would be fine. The
fun is in the surprise and sharing with other families.
The Jesse tree that I usually do with my kids has 28 ornaments with scripture verses to go with each one for each day of advent. (the last 8 being the "O" Antiphons) If we have fewer families who are able to participate then we could either shorten the list or double up the ornaments.
If you think you are interested please let me know so that I can coordinate the number of verses we will have and find a meeting spot/time to swap the ornaments. I will need a definite number by October 20, to figure out the logistics of the swap and so that each family will have time to
complete their ornaments before Advent begins.
Letter Dated Oct 27th
We have 10 families who have agreed to participate in the Jesse Tree ornament Swap. The next step is for each family to choose how many different ornaments they are willing to make. I had a couple of people say they are willing to make 3 different ornaments meaning a total of 30 ornaments that their family will make for the group. If you can only get one set done that's fine.
I've decided to leave the O antiphons out this time around. Maybe next year we can try just those? They are a little bit more difficult to come up with a symbol that makes sense to the little kids. (I may just hang mine with the words as a type of garland on the tree.) If you find my list lacking in anyway feel free to complain. I checked so many different lists that this seemed the best one I could find, it was based on people and I thought the smallest kids could understand the symbols better than some of the lists with abstract concepts and symbols of those (like peace).
Okay so what do you need to do now?
Let me know which ornaments you'd like to do. Remember you'll make a duplicate of the ornament for each family participating. DO NOT START ON YOUR ORNAMENTS until I get back with a definite yes. I will sign everyone up first come first served. I know a couple of you are out of town right now but if I can have people get back to me by Monday Nov 3. I can get the list back some time later that week....
Basic guidelines as you start thinking about what you might want to do
1. Keep them between 1-3 inches so they can fit on a small tree or branch
2. have a way to hang it
3. be as creative as you have time for (you can cheat and buy them already done)
there are no real guidelines for materials . You can use clay, wood, etc... but
we all have small kids....glass might not be too durable.
4. you don't have to have your verse printed on the ornament...it's just for reference
I have read or sometimes just retold the verses to my kids....
I think that's it. If you have any other questions let me know.
1. CREATION
Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-4
2. ADAM AND EVE
Genesis 3:1-7
3. NOAH
Genesis 6:11-22; 9:8-13
4. ABRAHAM & SARAH
Genesis 12:1-7 and Hebrews 11:8
5. ISAAC & REBECCA
Genesis 22:1-7
6. JACOB & RACHEL
Genesis 28:10-22
7. JOSEPH
Genesis 37:1-4
8. MOSES
Exodus 20:1-17
9. AARON
Exodus 5:22, 11:5
10. JOSHUA
Joshua 6:20
11. SAMSON
Judges 16:21-30
12. RUTH
Ruth 1:15-18
13. JESSE
Isaiah 11:1-2
14. DAVID
Samuel 5:1-5
15. SOLOMON
1 kings 3:3-14
16. ELIJAH
2 Kings 2:11-18
17. ISAIAH
Isaiah 2:4;7:14:9:6-7
18. DANIEL
Daniel 6:10-23
19.JONAH
Jonah 1-4
20. ZECHARIAH & ELIZABETH
Luke 1:5-23
21. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Matthew 3 :1-11
22. ANNE & JOACHIM
23. MARY
Luke 1: 26 - 38
24. JOSEPH OF NAZARETH
Matthew 1:18 - 25
25. STAR OF BETHLEHEM
Matthew 2:1-12
26. SHEPHERDS
Luke 2:8-20
27. ANGEL
Luke 2:8-14
28. JESUS
Luke 2:1-20
Click here to see our finished results.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Q: What's wrong that I can't accomplish things I want to?
Q: I feel like I'm walking outside of God's Will that I can't accomplish things I know are of great importance, like helping out at church or praying at the abortion clinic, but I can't seem to get it done. Do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong?
My response :
A: You're not lazy, you don't have a lack of priorities...as a matter of fact it's your right priorities that makes you do what's most important (caring for your family and doing the HARD WORK of growing new life) instead of what you'd like to get done. Plus making the sacrifice of praying at home while you care for your family adds to your prayers, not decreases them. This is just a season of seeming lack of accomplishment, when it's really one of the most difficult seasons in a woman's life. You may not be accomplishing anything for yourself personally, but you're doing a great work for your family. It can be hard to see, but that's looking through the eyes of the world, not the eyes of Christ who knows what it is to suffer for those He loves. He sees your sacrifices and the great work you're accomplishing. Have faith and perservere in putting your family first.
I found being a "stay at home mom" very difficult, and isolating, and boring. It wasn't until I started homeschooling that we found a rythm and purpose to our days. This difficult time will pass and it can get better. Remember, this is just a season in your life. Keep praying through it.
This question was posed to me by a lovely friend who is pregnant with her 2nd child in 2 years. Someday she'll look back on this question and chuckle.
My response :
A: You're not lazy, you don't have a lack of priorities...as a matter of fact it's your right priorities that makes you do what's most important (caring for your family and doing the HARD WORK of growing new life) instead of what you'd like to get done. Plus making the sacrifice of praying at home while you care for your family adds to your prayers, not decreases them. This is just a season of seeming lack of accomplishment, when it's really one of the most difficult seasons in a woman's life. You may not be accomplishing anything for yourself personally, but you're doing a great work for your family. It can be hard to see, but that's looking through the eyes of the world, not the eyes of Christ who knows what it is to suffer for those He loves. He sees your sacrifices and the great work you're accomplishing. Have faith and perservere in putting your family first.
I found being a "stay at home mom" very difficult, and isolating, and boring. It wasn't until I started homeschooling that we found a rythm and purpose to our days. This difficult time will pass and it can get better. Remember, this is just a season in your life. Keep praying through it.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
So what's with the Infanticide claim?
I also found www.factcheck.org which is supposed to be a bipartisan effort at objectivity on the candidates to be helpful in understanding in what context Obama promoted infanticide. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obama_and_infanticide.html (People have complained that Factcheck.org is not objective and favors Obama in their reporting of issues, but coming from that angle, this lends even more validity to their perspective in finding the truth.) In the legislation, the doctor performing the abortion determines viability of the infant according to Illinois law. That's unacceptable considering how early (22 wks?) babies have been saved and the purpose of abortion is NOT to save babies.
Lunchtime snooze
Once the kids were settled into lunch, I ran to get Palin tickets. The girls had wanted to document lunch while I was gone, so I came to this 
picture on my computer. An exciting morning of homeschool is too much for a baby to be able to stay awake for lunchtime.
picture on my computer. An exciting morning of homeschool is too much for a baby to be able to stay awake for lunchtime.Sarah Palin in Fort Wayne, IN
Road to Victory Rally in Ft. Wayne, IN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2008 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Address: Memorial Coliseum
4000 Parnell Ave.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46805
Please join Governor Sarah Palin for a Road to Victory Rally in Ft. Wayne, IN
Featuring Country Music Star, Hank Williams Jr.
Doors Open at 4:00 p.m.
Ticket Locations
Indiana Republican Party
47 South Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-635-756112 noon to 9pm Thursday and Friday
Allen County Republican Party
135 West Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802
260-422-1554 10am to 9pm Thursday and Friday 9am to 12Noon Saturday
Souder for Congress Campaign Headquarters
7301 W Jefferson BlvdFort Wayne, IN 46804
10am to 9pm Thursday and Friday
Elkhart County Republican Party
115 East LincolnGoshen, IN 46528
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Grant County Republican Party
333 West 4th StreetMarion, IN 46952
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Howard County Republican Party
204 North Main StreetKokomo, IN 46901
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Kosciusko County Republican Party
109 East Market StreetWarsaw, IN 46580
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Porter County Republican Party
212 East Lincoln WayValparaiso, IN 46384
219-464-2213 12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
St. Joseph County Republican Party
4133 S. Main StSouth Bend, IN 46614
574-299-1388 12noon to 9pm Thursday 9am to 9pm Friday
Tippecanoe County Republican Party
313 Columbia StreetLafayette, IN 47901
765-742-2910 12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2008 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Address: Memorial Coliseum
4000 Parnell Ave.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46805
Please join Governor Sarah Palin for a Road to Victory Rally in Ft. Wayne, IN
Featuring Country Music Star, Hank Williams Jr.
Doors Open at 4:00 p.m.
Ticket Locations
Indiana Republican Party
47 South Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-635-756112 noon to 9pm Thursday and Friday
Allen County Republican Party
135 West Main Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802
260-422-1554 10am to 9pm Thursday and Friday 9am to 12Noon Saturday
Souder for Congress Campaign Headquarters
7301 W Jefferson BlvdFort Wayne, IN 46804
10am to 9pm Thursday and Friday
Elkhart County Republican Party
115 East LincolnGoshen, IN 46528
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Grant County Republican Party
333 West 4th StreetMarion, IN 46952
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Howard County Republican Party
204 North Main StreetKokomo, IN 46901
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Kosciusko County Republican Party
109 East Market StreetWarsaw, IN 46580
12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
Porter County Republican Party
212 East Lincoln WayValparaiso, IN 46384
219-464-2213 12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
St. Joseph County Republican Party
4133 S. Main StSouth Bend, IN 46614
574-299-1388 12noon to 9pm Thursday 9am to 9pm Friday
Tippecanoe County Republican Party
313 Columbia StreetLafayette, IN 47901
765-742-2910 12noon to 7pm Thursday and Friday
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