On our way to get a Christmas tree...

We had to wait a long time and decided to sing songs. I'll provide the lyrics to the rap Benjamin composed.

Joseph provides ostinato: Googles in the hooouse...

Benjamin:

Googles in the house yeah PUNCH PUNCH

Googles in the house yeah totally

Googles in the house the end- Cabbages-

Eatin' forty- forty crunches of google cereal YUM YUM

Every google donut today- yeah! Cut!

He'll be rich someday.

"Union with God is a song which does not die in the hearing, a flavor which does not abate in the eating, an embrace which gives delight without end."

St. Augustine

CAN'T

WAIT

TO GO

HOME!!!

My Kind of Mothering

The readings for daily mass have been pretty kick-butt lately. I love how the Mother in the first reading today is not only encouraging her sons to be faithful to God because of the law, but because God made the world out of nothing. This Mom not only instilled in her children a fear of the Lord but she educated them about really cool things! So much so that her youngest asks his executioner "what he is waiting for"- Blessed be God forever!

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.

Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”

Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”

She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
“What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king’s command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God.”

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

Upon the Feast of St. Elizabeth

"The apostolate implies souls capable of being carried away with enthusiasm for an idea, of consecrating themselves to the triumph of a principle. When the realization of this ideal is supernaturalized by the interior spirit, and when our zeal, in its end, its center, and its means is quickened by the spirit of Christ, we shall have the life which is in itself the most perfect of all, the highest possible life..."

Dom Jean Baptiste Chautard, The Soul of the Apostolate

Sunday

First of all, can I just say that I love God? Seriously, He's just so amazing and normal and there but not and just every incredible paradox you could ever think of. What the heck- no wonder He's can create a universe- I mean- really. And in two weeks it will be the first Sunday of Advent. I'm ridiculously excited for Christmas this year.

In any case I've been pretty down this week because of my classes. I go to a Christian school and all but there are many here who still ascribe to worldly ideas. In my "Jesus in Scripture and Tradition" class we keep talking about the "historical Jesus" and what stories in the New Testament are historical and what words those early Christians decided to put in Jesus' mouth. While reading about it all these arguments can make sense and for awhile I felt like I was in this weird state of "but I thought these things were real!"- and then I remembered that God exists. I think people get so into things so fast- even studying Jesus- that they forget that God exists. God times things so well. First of all he had Jesus be Jewish (I had a friend freak out about how cool it was that Jesus was Jewish this week- little did she know I was thinking the same thing!). The Jews were so cool- they had everything figured out- or rather, God had figured everything out for them with the 10 commandments and Solomon and the prophets- plus they really knew how to worship, study God, and party. In short, they knew how to live. Granted at Jesus time there was some corruption and oppression and tax collecting, but hey, who doesn't do a little tax collecting every now and then? Plus, in Jesus time the Romans were lording over the Jews- and what were the Romans? They were some pretty intelligent folks- I mean God putting himself in Greco-Roman influenced society was just about the smartest move ever- those guys had it all figured out too! And on top of it all GOD did it! Why are we even asking if Jesus really turned the water into wine at the wedding in Canna, or what Jesus "really said"- Jesus said it all because it's holy scripture! Did Jesus eat on the Wednesday before passover or Thursday night when passover was beginning? Can't the answer be "yes"? Can't God do what he sees fit? Can't we live with paradoxes? Do scholars every pray? Do we have to forget that we're not God the second we start studying something? Can't we love what God gave us? Humans!

In the meantime it's Sunday and I'm deciding to focus on what God gave me this week. The world gives me so much crap and it weighs me down. God gives me love and light and life. Let us continually give thanks to Him! There is nothing better for us to do than to give ourselves wholly and unreservedly to God!

Creativity

My family doesn't do Halloween but it doesn't stop me from appreciating the creativity of the costumes that I'm seeing around campus. The most charming one I saw was a Batman and Robin pair on a two person bike- The Batman cried, "the wind Robin! The wind!!", and Robin stiffly replied "pedal harder." In the Caf I saw a "dark and stormy knight"- which was a guy dressed in black armor carrying an umbrella. But the most creative I think was the guy dressed up as a tea bag. He had sacks of leaves tied up in tulle on either side of him with a Lipton logo hanging off. Genius.
Notice that all of these were males. It seems males are much more creative when it comes to dressing themselves in costumes. I've seen slut after prostitute after naughty this or that- it seems the girls can't think past being some sexual object. Even when they dress up as something- it has to be low cut, short, or skin tight- preferably with heels you can't walk in. Where's the creativity in that? What's the point of dressing up as a skank if everyone else is too? Sigh. The only guy I saw showing skin was a guy wearing a kilt and body paint. Besides it's like 30 degrees. Oh for elementary school when people dressed as paper dolls or a living room lamp or a bike or pizza or favorite book characters! Viva creativity!

Plus I'm more excited for the REAL holy-day tomorrow. Celebrating all the Saints!! I'd say tomorrow is definitely a day for meat and treats!

"I would stop doing ANYTHING to eat macaroni"

-Benjamin

Silk Stocking Sunday

This is the second Sunday that I've worn my silk stockings- I think they go quite well with my brown boots- as a house mate once called them, my pretty boots. It's a pretty grey Sunday but God loves even when it's grey outside. At church I sat with a certain lovely family who's son was one of the head servers for mass. I ended up being between the Father of this family and other young man I didn't know but looked very respectable (wearing Sunday pants and nice sweater). I LOVE GENTLEMEN! The Father of the family took care of me the entire mass too. Though he didn't share the same kneeler with me he would reach over and pull mine down for me before I could stick my foot out to flip it down myself- otherwise I would've let the young man on my right do it for me. I kind of like bossing young men into doing things for me like that, sometimes I stand outside of doors when I'm with young men until they open them for me. I think that's the teacher and the mothering instinct in me. When we went up for communion the Father let me go ahead of him like his own daughter. Oh how I love Christians! How I love that we can love so deeply and be so humble to each other just because! After mass he looked at me with such a tender smile and said "I'm so glad you chose to sit with us!"- like I was somehow a plus to their day as much as they had been for me! "Love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor" (Rom. 12:10). Now I'm going eat a bowl of fruit soup. I'm so spoiled. I get to go mass 4 days in a row and eat fruit soup and blueberry muffins and watch my little brothers grow up! Praised be Jesus!

Benjamin's Latest

"Mom? Can I have 20 dollars a day from now on?"

And That Too...

Alright, I'm too the point where I'm feeling sick when I hear a swear word. I'm sick of negativity. I'm sick of complaints about things that are wonderful. I'm sick of sexual humor- sick of hearing about people I love getting drunk. DOWN WITH APATHY!

Today in my "Jesus in Scripture and Tradition" class the teacher was talking about the gospel of Mark (and how COOL it is!), and how Jesus demands that we, as Christians, need to operate so differently than how the world operates. He talked about how if we are followers of Christ, we will suffer because Christ suffered- and if for some reason we aren't suffering- we may want to ask why. I could hardly believe that those words were spoken in that classroom. He said it hurts to follow Jesus because it hurts to be different. How it hurts more to see others suffer without Christ though! These poor people feed on complains only to find that complaints only cause the soul to become bitter and helpless. It's just like eating too much fast food. The negativity here has pressed on me ever since I got here at the beginning of the year. It's horrible to witness- and sometimes in my own sorrows I wish I could just complain- but my taste for fast food has waned in the past few years and I know the consequences of living that way. The thing is, God wants our whole selves. He wants us to question how things are done, he wants us to realize that his laws were revealed to us for us. He wants us to have undivided hearts. Oh yes- and he wants that too- whatever that may be for you. Swearing for some odd satisfaction, getting drunk because thats what you do in college, telling a sex joke so that you can futher pervert and turn into a killing machine one of the most holy and beautiful acts God has entrusted to us. Down with apathy, down with mediocrity, down with not loving, down with holding things back from God. Let yourself be opened and let the light of Christ purify you! Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God!

Saturday Awesomeness

So, I'm sitting in the music library trying to do homework and I look out the window only to see two kids, a brother and sister, walking cheerfully on the sidewalk below with brown bags over their heads.

Do I need to say more?

Love! Only Love!

"On our way to Rome we crossed Switzerland and saw its mountains with their snow covered summits lost in clouds, it's waterfalls, it's deep valleys thick with huge ferns and purple heather. It was wonderfully good for me to see all the richness of this natural loveliness. My soul soared up to Him who delights to scatter such masterpieces over the place where we spend our brief time of exile. Sometimes we were carried up to the mountain peaks, and precipices, whose depths our eyes could not plumb, opened at our feet as if to engulf us. Then we passed through a charming village, with it's chalets and graceful church spire over which wisps of cloud were drifting. Later the blue waters of a great lake, calm and clear, would catch the glory of the setting sun.

"But how can I describe what I felt before the wonder and the poetry of these scenes? They were a foretaste of the splendors of heaven. I saw life in a convent as it really is, with all it's restrictions and it's little daily hidden sacrifices. I realized how easy it would be to become wrapped up in oneself and forget the sublime purpose of our vocation. I said: "Later, in the hour of trial, when I am imprisoned in Carmel and able to see only a small patch of sky, I shall recall today and it will give me strength. All my trifling affairs will be lost in the power and majesty of God. I shall love only Him and I shall escape the misfortune of attaching myself to trifles, now that I have glimpsed what He has in store for those who love Him.""

-St. Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul

Bath Night

Me: Do you want a Spiderman towel or a fluffy towel?

Benjamin: Um... fluffy... (muttering to himself) I wish they made towels out of silk...

Benjamin's Evening

I heard the legos going in his room while I sewed tonight. He ran in later and showed us what he was bound to make sooner or later- a lego google. In the background of this picture is the single piece of cherry pie he wanted for a bedtime snack tonight. He insisted that I make him one piece- not a whole pie or a half pie- one piece shaped like one piece. And that's what we did. Oh how we spoil him! But how can your resist spoiling someone who looks at you like that?

Silk Stockings

I love being a Christian because you get used to having small things thrill you. My most recent thrill is this pair of socks. They aren't just any socks- to me they are silky, cream colored knee highs that bring me into all my dreams about silk stockings that I got in my mind from reading all those Lucy Maud Montgomery novels. You can't tell from the picture but they're shiny from the silkiness- they are now my Sunday socks and will be a secret delight for the dark winter months at school.

"I wish I could have a pair- just one pair- of silk stockings. Ilse has three. Her father gives her everything she wants, now that he has learned to love her. But Aunt Elizabeth says silk stockings are immoral. I wonder why- any more than silk dresses."

L.M. Montgomery, Emily Climbs

Christian Culture

"He demonstrates nothing, He doesn't try to justify himself, He doesn't argue. He teaches. His authority imposes itself because the wisdom that emanates from him is irresistible."

In Conversation with God, 526

I had a long discussion tonight with some family members about Catholic culture and education. It was sparked by a conversation earlier in the day with an individual who had the notion that weekly mass at my dear old Catholic high school should be made optional for students. The school has always had it's foot down on the matter and the discussion tonight revolved around why they would do that. Why would a school not run whole heartedly to have people choosing to go to a weekly mass instead of having it required of them? Doesn't requiring something make a bunch of people who aren't Catholic or just plain don't care to go to mass more than once a week create the danger of seeing mass in a negative light? What do we really want of these kids? Isn't it always better to choose to pray on your own whims instead of having someone dictate a time, place, and way of praying for you? Isn't it more honest? More sincere...?

The question that really sparked my interest was "what do we want of these kids?" The simple answer I think is that we want them to be saved- to know, love, and serve God. The school doesn't exactly put that in the mission statement but they do profess to be Catholic, and that is in the mission of every Christian- indeed, every human! The question that follows though, is how are we going to help them do that? This school has decided to do it by creating a Catholic culture in which the students can abide. People need to know what being a Christian is all about- even if they're not Christians. It's such a huge piece of the world and it's history (and it's future!) that it's worth at least to be educated in it. But since we are a Catholic school we have not only the opportunity to educate people about the faith, but also to encourage them to love it, live it, to love God- and where is the best place to go to experience God? What is the heart of the Church? What is the fount of life, grace, and holiness?

It is the Eucharist!

'If you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have life within you'! So why would experiencing the Eucharist in Holy Mass not be part of the education at a Catholic school? How can we understand religion class if our souls are dead- if we are not animated by the Holy Spirit through the grace received in the Eucharist? A mind can only go so far for a person because a person is made up of more than a mind. We have emotions, physical bodies, a soul. We baptize our infants so they can get started on a life of grace as soon as possible. We raise our children in families that are meant to support the child in growing in love for Jesus. A Catholic culture cannot be separated from the Eucharist. A Catholic school, a Catholic family, a religious community- these should all be places where a person's soul, mind, and heart can expand and breathe. Why do we need to live in the world as if we were of the world? Why do we need to suffocate ourselves and cripple others in the name of "free choice"? Through the education in the school, those that don't care or know anything of Mass will gain the knowledge. If God wills, he will open their hearts to know and love him in the Eucharist. We must not fail to give them every opportunity to grow!

We need more Red Cardigan Societies and little ideas that will give us room to breathe in this confused world of ours. Tea party anyone?

Late Birthday and Googles!

Benjamin's birthday is in May- but we were preparing for a wedding this year and he never had a birthday party so we decided to have one now- at the end of August. Benjamin's request was to go bowling- and we could see why, he played two games and his total for the day was 202! It was almost the top score of the day if it hadn't been for his best friend who beat Benjamin with a score of 212.

You can see how elated he was most of the time. When he broke 100 he grabbed my Mom's face (twice) and screamed "I GOT 100!!!" I think he had a good time.

The theme of the party was, of course, googles (couldn't have seen that one coming). If you don't know what a google is, here are a few pictures. Googles show up everywhere and come in many forms. The way Benjamin always describes a google is as "a duck with no hands"- a google is one of the many "Webkinz" stuffed animals you can puchase and play games online with it- a total scam but I think Benjamin has gotten a lot of ware out of his googles.

This is an actual google stuffed animal,

but they often show up other places such as...

Walls:

School work (army of googles on the left side of the shield of virtues):

Vacation Bible School work (why the google was necessary on the St. Joseph window I've no idea..):

Drawn for fun (this is a "chocolate google", a very fat one, and his name is "Halupeno"- kudos to Benjamin for sounding out the word "Jalepeno" by himself) (this particular google picture resides next to Benjamin's bed):

And even in disguise (this is a snowman google- no hands!)

He draws them on his body, he signs them next to his name, I find them scribbled in the steam on the bathroom mirror when I get out of the shower, he bikes with them, makes up stories about them, has written the rule book about what googles can and cannot do and anything else one would want to know about them...

...So it was no surprise when he requested a google cake:

We also played pin the beak on the google. I think he had a good time.

Soup Day

Being rainy and cold- I thought it an excellent day for soup and reading. Reading that I've tried to do for years but never really got done... I think a lot of those into Anne of Green Gables series fizzle out around Rainbow Valley. Somehow when the exciting Anne and Gilbert love story is now more of a peaceful ever after, people lose interest. Being a big advocate for loving everyday life, I didn't want to be that way- so I've tried to plunge for the past few summers into Rainbow Valley. It seems I've been unsuccessful- but I did read a good chunk today.

In the meantime I was more successful making soup. During the past few years of living in the house at St. Olaf I found out that people actually make soup- not just get it from a can- horrible I know. I also found out how easy it was to make your own with whatever you had. Today I made some that I like to make a lot with dried split peas.

I boiled about 5 cups of water with

• half a bag of dried split peas, rinsed
• about half an onion, chopped
• two cloves of chopped garlic
• one sweet potato
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks of celery (w/ leaves) chopped

After that I added seasonings like a little dried oregano, a bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste. I didn't add enough salt this time- silly me. Then I boiled it all for about an hour- maybe- I really don't know how long. I usually just boil it until I can't stand to not eat it any more- but an hour would be good- at least until the peas get soft and mushy and it becomes thick and soupish. Easy, good for lent, sticks to the ribs, and made out of random things anyone can have!

Ave Maria!

This year we decided to celebrate the Assuption of the Blessed Virgin by having a tea party- and seeing as it wasn't even a holy day of obligation this year, I think it was quite appropriate to put a little extra feasting in the day. The wall was plastered with some (not even all!) of the pictures of Mary that I posses:

We ate real tea party food like chicken salad, cucumber sandwiches, lady fingers, strawberry sorbet- and of course, plenty of tea and iced tea. One of the guests provided a copious amount of fresh mint from his own plant for the iced tea and pretty little garnishes for the desserts.

We also made garlands of stars- of course each one had 12- everything had to have marian signifiance- she was our guest of honor!

After we feasted we went for a rosary walk and sang hymns in front of the Mary statue at church. The Blessed Mother really let us share in her joy that day!

It really was a wonderful day- and it's a small triumph for Catholic culture in our silly world that separates God and everday life. It's nice to have a party for people like the Blessed Mother too- she doesn't allow you to get stressed out or have any kind of worldly focus. One night I was supposed to be practicing snare drum but I was planning instead and she wouldn't stop bothering me until I practiced. Such a mom. I'm definitely hoping to celebrate other feast days this way. Ave Maria!

Finishing Up...

My sister and her new husband finally moved into their little house this week. For us that means that the wall we put up to give rooms to 6 children in this house is coming down!

Goodbye Google pasted on the wall with "Benderoos"...

Goodbye doodles on the back of the door...

Goodbye door that shut out the sunlight...

Hello windows and sun and a wide open room!!

Success

Rachel's wedding was quite successful I must say. She probably had the most modest and lovely wedding dress of the whole summer- no spaghetti straps for this Madame! I finished my little "Anne" tea dress an hour before we had to leave for the wedding. I'm so glad wedding masses are- well, masses! It was so prayerful and peaceful- I could feel God filling the room. Pray for this couple!

Waiting

One week until my sister's wedding. I haven't finished my bridesmaid dress yet- or the pillows for the rings- but if I can get my act together they could be done by Monday. I've been such a party pooper when when it comes to weddings for the past year. I kept proclaiming "I'm so sick of weddings" and silently judged people when they seemed excited at a detail of a wedding. I still do condemn mass spending on weddings and getting stressed about frivolous details but I don't hate weddings themselves anymore. God doesn't allow us to hate one of his creations. Matrimony is worth celebrating. The Church even says. A wedding is a foretaste of heaven, it's a welcome into a union after the death of giving up yourself to follow God's plan the way he wants you to. It's a mirror of the resurrection! So I'm actually excited for my sister's wedding next week. I broke the iron though... we'll see how far I can get on sewing stuff now...

Berry Picking Today

Benjamin was my picking partner since we only had 5 buckets and he was a little shaky on what berries to pick. Afterward he kept sticking is face in the bucket and inhaling deeply telling me that I must smell them.
When we drove up my Dad realized he only had 13 dollars in his pocket- we had to be very careful and it ended up that what we picked was a little over 11 dollars! 7 pounds of strawberries for 12 bucks? Not bad.

You Wonder Why Things Happen...?

"Bousset has a sentence which is beyond the comprehension of an apostle who does not realize what must be the soul of his apostolate. It runs: When God desires a work to be wholly from his hand, he reduces all to impotence and nothingness, and then He acts."

-Dom Jean-Baptiste Chautard, The Soul of the Apostolate

From Benjamin

"Mommy!  Can I have my own email so I can send Gracie funny messages like... like... when I was washing dishes I used your toothbrush!"

Quiet

Ears Pierced!

Grace got her ears pierced this week-13 and looking very grown up! She's been very diligent about cleaning and taking care of them too. I think the diamond studs compliment her shiny black locks very well!

Last Look at Aaker

Not aching to be back at all- I just love sunny window sills- especially in the prayer room and the kitchen.  I think I'll miss that tree though- and the gorgeous shadows it casts on the house.  School closed exactly a week ago and it feels like forever ago.  Thank you Jesus so much for summer!

Be Not Afraid!

"The end of human creatures is union with God; and in this their happiness consists."

-St. Thomas Aquinas

Lately I've had a lot of extra time to pray (seeing as it's summertime) and I got really scared one day that I shouldn't be praying so much.  Ridiculous, I know- but the reason being that I'd love to be a mother someday and all I see is mothers being busy and not being able to go to daily mass and adoration at 6:30 AM- and you know how when you get tired and you spend too much time by yourself you get cooky. Anyway, How could I possibly handle being a mother if I prayed so much now? Why would I get myself used to something that can't last? But then I realized that all I see also is how many mothers don't trust in the Lord, how many mothers don't act like Christians, how many mothers have the "Martha" attitude instead of the "Mary". We don't need the Martha attitude in the world- it's not that it was just her lot in life not to sit and contemplate with Jesus. No! She can love her work and wait on Jesus in peace and love rather than stress. "You are anxious about many things... Mary has chosen the better part." Martha has every chance to contemplate God because she exists. It was Mary's time to sit and contemplate- which everyone needs and everyone needs to make time for. The Mary type is the one who trusts the Lord to make time for everything. It doesn't make her unsuitable for motherhood.  The Lord will make time for me to be quiet with him if I am a mother some day. What kind of a mother would I be if I gave up prayer? How would I stand up to the devil? How would I stay myself through all the temptations? How would I deal with the world. I wouldn't is the answer. I'd resent my husband, yell at my kids, complain about housework, go to Sunday mass hot and angry. Everything in the Bible is true. Everything they tell you religion class is true too- you need to give up your life joyfully! Blessed are the persecuted, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, it shall be theirs! I need not be afraid of drawing closer to him, we are all meant for heaven!

Or Maybe...

As my Mom was tucking in Benjamin tonight he said,

"I think I'll name my first baby Milkshake- then I could say Come heeere Milkshake...

...wait, that doesn't sound very good..."

I walked by their room later and heard him and Joseph discussing the matter further,

B: "Or maybe I'll name him Shakespeare..."
J: "What about Margaret- or William?"
B: "Well... maybe just Jeremy."

What kind of brothers do I have?

Sliver of Home

"Dad! I don't wanna go!"
"Benjamin go"
"No! The bees!"
"Go!"
"They'll sting me!"
"If you get stung I'll give you 20 dollars"
*Benjamin goes*

Joseph Visits Norway Valley

"In the woods...

...is perpetual youth"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Drinking in Blossoms

Gracie and I watched all 6 or so hours of Anne of Green Gables so far this weekend.  One of my favorite parts is when Anne, wildly happy as a result of coming home after a year of teaching and exhausting romance, shoves a bouquet of wild flowers in Marilla's face and says "Smell them Marilla- drink them in!"  Seems like such a lovely idea.  

Leaves and Lilacs

I was home for the morning and found that the leaves, the lilacs and the lily of the valley were all ringing the glory of God.  

Let the light in!

Coming Home Soon!

From today I have approximately one week and 5 days until I'm home for the summer.  It's only been a week since I saw them last, but I miss my family so much and can hardly wait to see them again.  This month has had it's ups and downs and I know that going home will bring many sorrows- but Jesus is with us!  How can we fast when the bridegroom is with us?

"Down with all melancholy!  That should never find a place except in the heart which has lost faith.  I am joyful.  Sorrow is not gloom.  Gloom should be banished from the Christian soul."

-Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

The Interior Life

""What herb is most injurious to a young lady's beauty?" propounded Uncle Benjamin by way of starting conversation- "loosening things up a bit," as he would have said.

"Valancy, who's duty it was to say, "What?" did not say it.  Nobody else said it, so Uncle Benjamin, after an expectant pause, had to answer, "Thyme," and felt that his riddle had fallen flat.  He looked resentfully at Valancy who had never failed him before, but Valancy did not even seem to be aware of him.  She was gazing around the table, examining relentlessly every one in this depressing assembly of sensible people and watching their little squirms with a detached, amused smile."

-Lucy Maud Montgomery, The Blue Castle

"Let's work for heaven, all the rest is nothing."

-St. Bernadette

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!

My Mom sent this to me today.  Joseph wrote this prayer out and hung it next to his painting of the Sacred Heart in his room.  It reads, "Jesus with all my heart I believe and love you, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen."  He just received his first communion two weeks ago and was quite glowingly happy.  Pray he perseveres!  

"Learning unsupported by grace may get into our ears; it never reaches the heart."

-St. Isidore

St. Joseph the Worker

Over all the virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect.  Christ's peace must reign in your hearts, since as memebers of the body you have been called to that peace.  Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness.  Whatever you do weather in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Give thanks to God the Father through him.  

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being.  Do it for the Lord rather than for men, since you know full well you will recieve an inheritance from him as your reward.  Be slaves of Christ the Lord.  

Col. 3: 14-15, 17, 23-24

Why Christians always know what to do...

"I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?

'Father, save me from this hour'?

But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.

Father, glorify your name."

Joseph's Art House

He swept it out...

Made himself a sign...

...and moved in!  He now keeps talking about trying to find a way to attach a potty onto the playhouse.  

What do you do on a cloudy day?

Note Benjamin's stylishly short pants.  Joseph seems to be having quite a jolly time fighting with an invisible man as well.

Best Line of the Day...

Benjamin: "In my world, everyone has google bodies"

Later On...

Me: "Benjamin in your world does everyone have google bodies?"

Benjamin (while completely absorbed in his computer game): "No."

Me: "No?"

Benjamin: "In my world, everyone has google heads and regular human bodies... with no arms."

Rainy Monday

Joseph is beginning to clean out the play house today to convert it into his art/prayer house.  I don't feel like doing anything really today except napping- which I spent most of my morning doing.  Benjamin keeps reminding me that he loves me and always wants to cuddle.  They both keep reminding me how good and simple life is and how caught up I am sometimes in the stuffy paper details.  I'm glad I'm at home, being at a college for too long really grinds you down. But  "...this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" 2 Cor. 4:17

Birthday Party No. 2

Ironically, the angelfood cake that was so lovingly beaten by hand for me on my real birthday turned out better than the one I made today with an electric mixer. It could be due to the fact that I didn't really use a recipe, or that I think I deflated the egg whites when I was folding in the flour at the end... in any case, the bread knife I used to cut it worked better than any knife I've ever used. That knife is magical- it's so slick and I got it at the thrift store for $2.50. God is so interesting!

"I find a heaven in the midst of saucepans and brooms"

-St. Stanislaus Kostka

Saturday

Sunny Weekend

It's March!  God blessed me so much with this house.  What a peaceful sight to wake up to!

"... Conduct yourselves with reverence... realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct... not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ..."

-1 Pt. 1:17-19

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world"

-Jn 16:33b

Ash Wednesday

This year I received a Magnificat Lenten Companion free from church and I've been aching to read it. The Ash Wednesday reflection began this way:

"'Brothers,' said Bernard of Clairvaux to his quarreling monks 'there are more enjoyable ways of going to hell'"

What a way to kick off lent! What an encouragement to really just live it. You might as well. It's so silly to damn yourself by rending your garments and not your heart- "Debauchery and gluttony would at least be more lively" as the reflection goes on to say. It's foolish not to believe in God, but it's more foolish to know hes there and ignore him.

"As your fellow workers we beg you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, on the day of salvation I have helped you.' Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!"
-Cor. 6:2

"I do believe, help my unbelief!"

"But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, "'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."
Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
-Mk. 9

When I was in 8th grade I decided I wanted to be perfect. Looking back I don't even know what I saw as really that holy or good in myself- but that was my goal. I had this crazy drive to "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" and I knew that it was possible even if everyone told me it wasn't. I didn't really know what being perfect looked like- I thought it included things like sitting up straight all the time, and eating a fruit and a vegetable for lunch- but I really think the greatest point of that decision was my faith. I never thought that the hope or the drive to be perfect would be more valuable than the actual product. People always discredit desires because they're associated a lot with basic survival drives and appetites- but desire is so important- I could argue that it's the beginnings of faith and hope. Faith and trust has gotten me through college- though I'm not done yet- it's gotten me through immense spiritual dryness and poverty- boy, you wonder why Jesus always says "Go in peace- your faith has saved you". We don't have to be perfect to be resigned to the will of God- "I do believe, help my unbelief!"

Think!

"Abandonment, rightly understood, includes everything. It requires a great humility, since it is submission of ourselves to creatures and events, seeing Jesus himself in them. It requires an immense faith, confidence every moment, to tear open the veil of secondary causes, to break through the screen of creatures which too often prevents us from seeing Jesus behind them, who governs everything, since nothing- nothing- happens without His having willed or permitted it."

- Father John C. J. d' Elbee I Believe in Love

I've been realizing lately the intense amount of concentration- and contemplation- needed for one to live well. To be a true Christian every part of you must cry out to God- not just your mind and heart- but your body- and your very soul. I always think about how Paul tells us to greet each other with "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"- why don't we do that? Loving God is something that you do with all of yourself- but we constantly have to slap ourselves back into reality every time we get distracted- which is pretty much 23 hours a day. Jesus is everywhere we just need to ask- beg- for the grace to see him everywhere- which will start our minds thinking about seeing him everywhere and help break through the wall of distraction for 30 seconds. Think! Love! See!

A Scene from Home

"Do not say: it is impossible for me to influence others. If you are a Christian, it is impossible for this not to happen."

-St. John Chrysostom

A Boy Eats Bologna

Isn't it interesting that on a family's road to heaven they encounter scenes like this?  God is so weird.