Jake is applying to a private school. While it is best for him because it is run by wonderful Catholic monks, it is a highly competitive private school that has earned high ranking in the DFW area. While we are interested in it for the religious environment, it happens to be incredibly hard to get into. They have zero to three spots available, they said. :(
His test is on Saturday. He and I have worked tirelessly to prepare him--hundreds of spelling and vocab words, dozens of reading comp and essay writing practice, and many practice standardized tests.
As Saturday approaches, it is hard not to be nervous.
I was praying in Mass on the Feast of Mary the Mother of God, bringing to God my worry and anxiety. In a flash, and clear as a bell, I could hear the message in my heart: "It is unbecoming for a daughter of Christ such as yourself to have any attitude other than, 'Let it be done to me according to Thy word.'"
This is the response of trustful surrender to the will of God that Mary proclaimed when Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Being unwed, this calling would involved great hardship. She chose to be totally yielded to the Father and trust that His plan was really the best.
That day as I prayed, I came to feel the grace of those words she uttered. As though not coming from me at all, but as a gift from heaven placed in my heart, I have had total trust and no worry since that day.
As the date approaches, it is hard not to get a little nervous again. I ask that God would give me complete, perfect grace to humbly trust God's plan, which is the plan of Providence, A LOVING Plan. Let me be like Mary, Lord! Give me grace!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
What It Means to Be "Called"
"Come, follow me," Andrew is told. We often heard it said in the pulpit, "God is calling you, too. So respond to His call. Follow Him."
But what does it mean to follow Christ? What do we do differently? Are we already following, or should be make some sort of change?
From what I have learned from the Bible, the saints and their testimonies, there is always room to "follow Him" more closely, more fully, more maturely. Whenever we hear this call, we should not think, "I am baptized. I am a Christian. I am already following." No, we should find the way in which God is calling us to follow Him more closely. There are several key things that we need to do, to follow this call, depending on where we are in life.
First, we need to examine ourselves in terms of Christ's key commandments: love and forgiveness of our neighbors, and love and praise of God, and keeping Christian commandments. We need to ask, "What are my sins, what are my faults? Where do I fall apart, get angry, get lazy, get selfish, get jealous, get resentful? Who are my enemies, and how do I treat them? How often do I think of God, pray to God, relate to God, sit in the happy company of God?"
Following Christ means discerning where we are coming up short in our Christian life, our Christian behavior, and asking God to renew us in this area of our life. We ask God, "Give me patience," "Fill me with humility," or "Inundate me with a forgiving spirit--Lord, Help me to forgive! Loosen my grip and help me to let go of my grudge!"
Second, we need to examine whether we have made a total surrender to God. Every person Christ encountered, from Andrew to Mary Magdelene to the blind man, made a surrender of self to Christ. They made Him the center of our lives. For some people, this is a one-time, dramatic moment, while for others, many small prayers of self-surrender are prayed over the course of one's life. Either way, we must renew our surrender to God: admitting that we are not adequate to satisfy our deepest longings or to satisfy God's desire for us, and that only with Christ in control of our lives will we find fulfillment and peace.
Thirdly, we follow Christ when we try to please Him in every detail of our lives. Offering each moment to Him, doing all the big and small tasks of our daily life for Him, through Him, and with Him, is to mature as a Christian, and to fulfill our choice of self-surrender. It is the actualization of this personal choice of the will.
Lastly, we cannot say we are following Christ and love Him well if we are failing to love our neighbors: ALL of them. We have to become adamant about loving with a lavish and extraordinary love those who have hurt us, those who irritate us, those who frustrate us. We do not have to be friends with everyone; we do not have to like everyone; we do not have to choose to spend a lot of time with every one. But we DO have to LOVE everyone: pray special blessings for them, be kind and generous to them, and to prayerfully meditate upon God's special love for them, as His creation and as His chosen adopted children. Only when we become perfect in our love for others can we even begin to become perfect in our love for God.
In examining our lives and finding room for growth in any of these areas, we take a practical step closer in "following Him!"
But what does it mean to follow Christ? What do we do differently? Are we already following, or should be make some sort of change?
From what I have learned from the Bible, the saints and their testimonies, there is always room to "follow Him" more closely, more fully, more maturely. Whenever we hear this call, we should not think, "I am baptized. I am a Christian. I am already following." No, we should find the way in which God is calling us to follow Him more closely. There are several key things that we need to do, to follow this call, depending on where we are in life.
First, we need to examine ourselves in terms of Christ's key commandments: love and forgiveness of our neighbors, and love and praise of God, and keeping Christian commandments. We need to ask, "What are my sins, what are my faults? Where do I fall apart, get angry, get lazy, get selfish, get jealous, get resentful? Who are my enemies, and how do I treat them? How often do I think of God, pray to God, relate to God, sit in the happy company of God?"
Following Christ means discerning where we are coming up short in our Christian life, our Christian behavior, and asking God to renew us in this area of our life. We ask God, "Give me patience," "Fill me with humility," or "Inundate me with a forgiving spirit--Lord, Help me to forgive! Loosen my grip and help me to let go of my grudge!"
Second, we need to examine whether we have made a total surrender to God. Every person Christ encountered, from Andrew to Mary Magdelene to the blind man, made a surrender of self to Christ. They made Him the center of our lives. For some people, this is a one-time, dramatic moment, while for others, many small prayers of self-surrender are prayed over the course of one's life. Either way, we must renew our surrender to God: admitting that we are not adequate to satisfy our deepest longings or to satisfy God's desire for us, and that only with Christ in control of our lives will we find fulfillment and peace.
Thirdly, we follow Christ when we try to please Him in every detail of our lives. Offering each moment to Him, doing all the big and small tasks of our daily life for Him, through Him, and with Him, is to mature as a Christian, and to fulfill our choice of self-surrender. It is the actualization of this personal choice of the will.
Lastly, we cannot say we are following Christ and love Him well if we are failing to love our neighbors: ALL of them. We have to become adamant about loving with a lavish and extraordinary love those who have hurt us, those who irritate us, those who frustrate us. We do not have to be friends with everyone; we do not have to like everyone; we do not have to choose to spend a lot of time with every one. But we DO have to LOVE everyone: pray special blessings for them, be kind and generous to them, and to prayerfully meditate upon God's special love for them, as His creation and as His chosen adopted children. Only when we become perfect in our love for others can we even begin to become perfect in our love for God.
In examining our lives and finding room for growth in any of these areas, we take a practical step closer in "following Him!"
Friday, January 24, 2014
Girl or Boy?
The common opinion around this house is that everyone wants a boy.
But last night, just before her bedtime, Annie crawled into bed with me--I am going to sleep before everyone else these days! She found me there, and joined me. She kissed me on the forehead, hugged me, and told me she loved me a hundred times.
I realized right then--I think I want another girl!
But last night, just before her bedtime, Annie crawled into bed with me--I am going to sleep before everyone else these days! She found me there, and joined me. She kissed me on the forehead, hugged me, and told me she loved me a hundred times.
I realized right then--I think I want another girl!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Middle East--Homeschool Study
This month we are doing a one month intensive study on the Middle East. I had never really learned about that region, and I was NOT going to let that go under the radar in my homeschool. Since we are now in the Middle Ages, having done the ancient world rather in depth, I thought, "Even though our history book only says a little about the Middle East, this is the perfect time to make that region a priority."
Having done my own research on it, I retold the ancient stories that they already know: about the beginning of the Jewish nation, and the highlights of their story; the birth of Christianity, and why the Jews and the Christians parted ways even though Christ was a Jew; and then the beginning of the Muslim religion, and the growth of the Muslim empire even from its earliest decades. Fascinating, really, that the three monotheistic religions were all born in the Middle East.
Then, leaving the middle ages, we clarified how the Muslims were living in Palestine since about 650 A.D., only twenty years after the death of Muhammed, and have been there, without interruption, ever since. We then traced how the Jews, having occupied that area for only 75 years in the time of Kings David and Solomon, underwent the diaspora; then some returned due to Cyrus the Great; but others remained settled elsewhere; then after the defeat by the Romans, all Jews were permanently sent into exile, taking the diaspora to a new level. We went through major dates in the Jewish history and major influences on the difficulties they faced, including Constantine, the Crusades, and then, in the 20th Century, Hitler.
Finally, we discussed the terrors of WWII, and how there was a global shift of attitude toward the Jews after the war, a shift toward sympathy and compassion. Hence the creation of the State of Israel. That made sense to the kids. But I said, "There was just one problem: that land was already taken!" And we discussed the Palestinians having been there for over a thousand years. We went through some of the historical facts about the Zionists, the War of Independence, the United Nations, the parceling out of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and why there has been fighting ever since 1948. (I definitely wished Aunt Leah and Aunt Swanee were in the room at that point).
I explained how hard some U.S. presidents have tried to settle the conflict and bring about resolution. I explained what I knew about why their efforts have failed. Jake said, "When I go into politics, maybe I can bring resolution!" After encouraging him (no 12 year old needs a bomb of pessimism dropped on them at the first glimmer of optimism), I then said, "Well, if you want that, then start praying now for leaders of both the Palestinians and the Jews in that area who WANT to bring resolution to the conflict enough to compromise. Without them having that attitude, the best solution imaginable will fall on deaf ears."
God, help us all. We are a broken human race. Help us to help one another!
Having done my own research on it, I retold the ancient stories that they already know: about the beginning of the Jewish nation, and the highlights of their story; the birth of Christianity, and why the Jews and the Christians parted ways even though Christ was a Jew; and then the beginning of the Muslim religion, and the growth of the Muslim empire even from its earliest decades. Fascinating, really, that the three monotheistic religions were all born in the Middle East.
Then, leaving the middle ages, we clarified how the Muslims were living in Palestine since about 650 A.D., only twenty years after the death of Muhammed, and have been there, without interruption, ever since. We then traced how the Jews, having occupied that area for only 75 years in the time of Kings David and Solomon, underwent the diaspora; then some returned due to Cyrus the Great; but others remained settled elsewhere; then after the defeat by the Romans, all Jews were permanently sent into exile, taking the diaspora to a new level. We went through major dates in the Jewish history and major influences on the difficulties they faced, including Constantine, the Crusades, and then, in the 20th Century, Hitler.
Finally, we discussed the terrors of WWII, and how there was a global shift of attitude toward the Jews after the war, a shift toward sympathy and compassion. Hence the creation of the State of Israel. That made sense to the kids. But I said, "There was just one problem: that land was already taken!" And we discussed the Palestinians having been there for over a thousand years. We went through some of the historical facts about the Zionists, the War of Independence, the United Nations, the parceling out of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and why there has been fighting ever since 1948. (I definitely wished Aunt Leah and Aunt Swanee were in the room at that point).
I explained how hard some U.S. presidents have tried to settle the conflict and bring about resolution. I explained what I knew about why their efforts have failed. Jake said, "When I go into politics, maybe I can bring resolution!" After encouraging him (no 12 year old needs a bomb of pessimism dropped on them at the first glimmer of optimism), I then said, "Well, if you want that, then start praying now for leaders of both the Palestinians and the Jews in that area who WANT to bring resolution to the conflict enough to compromise. Without them having that attitude, the best solution imaginable will fall on deaf ears."
God, help us all. We are a broken human race. Help us to help one another!
Nausea!
Oh, I have been so nauseous!
But my friend Julie told me last week that her doctor told her to be eating 125 g. of protein a day. 125 g! That is A LOT of protein! It takes some real planning and machinating to get that much protein down the hatch, esp. while trying not to turn into a blimp while the baby is still the size of a green pea!
Nevertheless, I added plant-based protein shakes to my daily menu, and that has made a huge difference. I also try to eat dinners that are only protein and veggies--no carbs for that meal.
Julie was right--the added protein has made a huge difference. Very little nausea! Thanks Julie!
But my friend Julie told me last week that her doctor told her to be eating 125 g. of protein a day. 125 g! That is A LOT of protein! It takes some real planning and machinating to get that much protein down the hatch, esp. while trying not to turn into a blimp while the baby is still the size of a green pea!
Nevertheless, I added plant-based protein shakes to my daily menu, and that has made a huge difference. I also try to eat dinners that are only protein and veggies--no carbs for that meal.
Julie was right--the added protein has made a huge difference. Very little nausea! Thanks Julie!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Braising Meats
One little improvement in our home recently has been that I have been cooking more, with less stress. I came up with seven dinners, and wrote out the list of all required ingredients. Many of them require slow cooking, and I begin early in the day. By dinner time, a wonderful meal is on the table.
My favorite one is braised leg of lamb. Leg of lamb has to be one of the best meats in the world! It is expensive, but not as expensive as ordering food from a take out place for 7 people! I roast it to get it crispy on the top, and then pour in a braising mixture of orange juice and orange zest, red wine, coriander, a couple other things. I place rosemary springs and garlic in the pan, cover it tightly, and cook it on low heat for 2 1/2 hrs. It falls off the bone. It is delectable.
It is so nice not to be scrambling at the end of the day: "What are we going to eat?" With this improvement, I feel so accomplished! :)
My favorite one is braised leg of lamb. Leg of lamb has to be one of the best meats in the world! It is expensive, but not as expensive as ordering food from a take out place for 7 people! I roast it to get it crispy on the top, and then pour in a braising mixture of orange juice and orange zest, red wine, coriander, a couple other things. I place rosemary springs and garlic in the pan, cover it tightly, and cook it on low heat for 2 1/2 hrs. It falls off the bone. It is delectable.
It is so nice not to be scrambling at the end of the day: "What are we going to eat?" With this improvement, I feel so accomplished! :)
Monday, January 13, 2014
The Lost Tooth
Nothing is quite so precious to the parent's soul as seeing a tiny, white tooth in a tiny porcelain heart-shaped box under a pillow. It is just about the most delightful sight in the world. Of all the important things, all the world-changing things, I cannot think of a sight that is more rich and fleeting at the same time. It is one instant, that will soon be over. The child is going to be grown before you know it.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Back in the Swing of Things
It is so nice to get back in the swing of things, after a nice, long break! Making meal plans for the next semester, fixed grocery lists, getting school supplies, a six month supply of ink for the printer so that there are no sudden, time-sensitive crises, getting bills in the mail, library books returned--ahh, how nice!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
An Extraordinary Anniversary!
Today is Ron's and my fifteenth wedding anniversary--we are so blessed! It has been a very special anniversary. Mom and Dad kept our kids while Ron and I had a vacation alone together. A first, and possibly the last in a long, long time!
But the even more unbelievable thing is that today was my first appointment with. . . our new midwife! We are expecting number six. Ron, the kids and I piled in her office and met the baby, as the technician did the baby's first ultrasound/sonogram. The baby moved, jumped and wiggled: s/he was practically waving "hello" at the whole group of us! It was so delightful I burst into tears.
We found out that I was expecting on the first Sunday of Advent (the season of pregnant mothers). That was unplanned--just as the whole pregnancy was unplanned. But just to be double sure before Ron had an appointment at work the next day regarding a possible several year stint in Rome, we thought we'd like to be extra sure about that "variable": the pregnancy variable.
I yelped when I saw the test result, and Ron said, "Oh my goodness! It can't be! It can't be!" But immediately we were both overjoyed--just stunned, as it was so unexpected. I was practically menopausal--and our risks were very low--almost non-existent. So it seemed to us right away, "God must really want this baby!"
And indeed, ten weeks later, I can say that it seems perfectly right and good that God should see fit to bestow on us such a rich and lavish gift. Thank you, Lord!
But the even more unbelievable thing is that today was my first appointment with. . . our new midwife! We are expecting number six. Ron, the kids and I piled in her office and met the baby, as the technician did the baby's first ultrasound/sonogram. The baby moved, jumped and wiggled: s/he was practically waving "hello" at the whole group of us! It was so delightful I burst into tears.
We found out that I was expecting on the first Sunday of Advent (the season of pregnant mothers). That was unplanned--just as the whole pregnancy was unplanned. But just to be double sure before Ron had an appointment at work the next day regarding a possible several year stint in Rome, we thought we'd like to be extra sure about that "variable": the pregnancy variable.
I yelped when I saw the test result, and Ron said, "Oh my goodness! It can't be! It can't be!" But immediately we were both overjoyed--just stunned, as it was so unexpected. I was practically menopausal--and our risks were very low--almost non-existent. So it seemed to us right away, "God must really want this baby!"
And indeed, ten weeks later, I can say that it seems perfectly right and good that God should see fit to bestow on us such a rich and lavish gift. Thank you, Lord!
Monday, January 6, 2014
New Favorite Movie
My new favorite movie is "About Time." I cried; Ron cried; we cried. It was so well done, and really to the point about what matters in life.
Gotta see it.
Gotta see it.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Not So Spoiled
Our family week was so full of fun activities, but I became alarmed when one child would forget to put frozen goods back in the freezer, another would not put their dirty plates in the sink. . . it seemed that they were getting lazy and spoiled.
Wednesday was the Feast of Mary the Mother of God, and we were going to go to Mass.
Finding Mass times, we realized that we could not take the few who wanted to go skiing back up to the mountain. So we offered them a movie. But then we could not get to that in time, either. Yet we sat in the parking lot of the church for over an hour, having no where to go until Mass started. It was just one of those travel days that never came together.
I wondered, "Will they complain?"
The Mass was so beautiful, the priest so inspiring, the church so delightful to the eyes with its simple, white wooden design.
After Mass, we apologized to the kids that we could not see a movie after all, and were sorry that the day had not really come together.
Jake replied, "Oh are you kidding? That Mass was so beautiful, I would not have traded that for anything." Mary chimed in in agreement. The other kids were perfectly happy too.
Oh thank goodness, I thought. They are not so spoiled after all!
Wednesday was the Feast of Mary the Mother of God, and we were going to go to Mass.
Finding Mass times, we realized that we could not take the few who wanted to go skiing back up to the mountain. So we offered them a movie. But then we could not get to that in time, either. Yet we sat in the parking lot of the church for over an hour, having no where to go until Mass started. It was just one of those travel days that never came together.
I wondered, "Will they complain?"
The Mass was so beautiful, the priest so inspiring, the church so delightful to the eyes with its simple, white wooden design.
After Mass, we apologized to the kids that we could not see a movie after all, and were sorry that the day had not really come together.
Jake replied, "Oh are you kidding? That Mass was so beautiful, I would not have traded that for anything." Mary chimed in in agreement. The other kids were perfectly happy too.
Oh thank goodness, I thought. They are not so spoiled after all!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
A Week of Rest and Play
This Christmas season has been so restful for me and our family--ahhh! I love it!
Our Christmas was the best one I can remember having: the best Mass, the best tree, the best relaxed day of cooking our favorite food.
Then we drove to new Mexico where we rested for a few days, and then skied for a few days. In the mountains the air is thin, so you feel tired and want to go to sleep. So it is like taking a natural sedative--just being at this altitude! That has been lovely for me, getting eleven or even twelve hours of sleep a night!
And there is no internet or cell coverage--taking a technology sabbath is such a blessing!
Jake, Mary and Clare already knew how to ski. But this year, Ron and Leigh took lessons and are up and running.
The HIGH POINT for me was teaching Annie how to ski!! "French fries (skis parallel in order to go)!" "Pizza (skis wedged in order to stop)!" The whole bunny slope was repeating that by the time the first day was through! It was such a blast! Little Annie, age 3, wore a side pony tail, dark glasses, a hot pink coat, and jeans. She looked like she was seventeen years old. She walked around in clunky ski boots like she had been doing it her whole life. She was begging us to let her ski. She was so determined--and she was skiiing by herself on the second day! AMAZING!!!!!! Best attitude I've ever seen.
In fact, all the kids had miraculously good attitudes, and never complained, even when hungry and when carrying skis to the car was hard. I was sort of amazed.
It was also fun skiing with Jake, whom I taught to parallel ski, and skiing with Mary, whom I coached down her first blue slope. She was so proud of herself and overcame her fear.
Clare tumbled down that very one, and our little speed demon, whom we have nick-named "Hot Chocolate," has now learned the importance of control. So maybe in the future, she can balance her love for speed with some precision in making choices on the slopes. Boy, is she a cutie.
Our Christmas was the best one I can remember having: the best Mass, the best tree, the best relaxed day of cooking our favorite food.
Then we drove to new Mexico where we rested for a few days, and then skied for a few days. In the mountains the air is thin, so you feel tired and want to go to sleep. So it is like taking a natural sedative--just being at this altitude! That has been lovely for me, getting eleven or even twelve hours of sleep a night!
And there is no internet or cell coverage--taking a technology sabbath is such a blessing!
Jake, Mary and Clare already knew how to ski. But this year, Ron and Leigh took lessons and are up and running.
The HIGH POINT for me was teaching Annie how to ski!! "French fries (skis parallel in order to go)!" "Pizza (skis wedged in order to stop)!" The whole bunny slope was repeating that by the time the first day was through! It was such a blast! Little Annie, age 3, wore a side pony tail, dark glasses, a hot pink coat, and jeans. She looked like she was seventeen years old. She walked around in clunky ski boots like she had been doing it her whole life. She was begging us to let her ski. She was so determined--and she was skiiing by herself on the second day! AMAZING!!!!!! Best attitude I've ever seen.
In fact, all the kids had miraculously good attitudes, and never complained, even when hungry and when carrying skis to the car was hard. I was sort of amazed.
It was also fun skiing with Jake, whom I taught to parallel ski, and skiing with Mary, whom I coached down her first blue slope. She was so proud of herself and overcame her fear.
Clare tumbled down that very one, and our little speed demon, whom we have nick-named "Hot Chocolate," has now learned the importance of control. So maybe in the future, she can balance her love for speed with some precision in making choices on the slopes. Boy, is she a cutie.
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