Strength through Suffering

I love this article, called "The Son of Man must suffer."

"In his divine wisdom... God preferred to bestir us rather to a deep and poignant awareness of our vocation as members of a crucified Christ. Hence, our weakness in doing good is intended to throw into sharper relief the sublime power of Christ, a power that enables us to support a life that is divine by grace in a vessel that is fragile, in a body inclined to sin and evil. The root of inclination to evil persists, and this provides us with opportunity for striving and conquering. Furthermore, in Christ lies the clue to the mystery of suffering. The adequate explanation must be sought in the contemplation of Christ crucified; only in the light of his suffering can we find the real meaning of human suffering...
'A soul lifted by suffering, like Christ on Golgotha, above the things of earth turns to heaven and away from all that is not God...
'When a soul suffers out of pure and disinterested love without regard to itself, it is more useful to the Church militant and to the whole world than when it is engaged in a most brilliant and successful apostolate. Souls are saved by dying for them. It was not by his words, nor by his miracles, that Jesus saved the world, but by giving his life...
'To allow oneself to be crucified by suffering with Christ is to grow in the likeness to God. Who are the saints that regret having suffered? Suffering passes; having suffered, never."

~ Fr. M.M. Philipon, O.P.

And check out Erin's great post today on how all this relates to motherhood.

Friday Quick Takes

I have been trying to get up a "Quick Takes" post for the past couple of Fridays...but things are "taking" around here faster than I can write about them. So here goes...and do check out Conversion Diary for more fun Friday takes.

~ 1 ~
We sold the house! Well, at least we have a contract...here's hopin' all goes well from here. In fact, we had two offers before the "For Sale" sign went up in our yard. Of course, in this so-called down market, with our new home already bought, and Bill's job in a state of semi-confusement, this is nothing short of a miracle. I mean it. St. Joseph ROCKS, I tell you! We got a little "St. Joseph Home Sale Kit," with a little plastic statue and some suggested prayers. I couldn't bring myself to bury him in the dirt--much less upside down--so I just put him on the mantle. I think he likes it up there!

~ 2 ~
JPD has been having a hard time going to school. Once he's there, he's fine, but he has been spending at least half an hour screaming for me each Tuesday and Thursday when I drop him off. Poor baby! You'd think by the 4th school-goer I'd have this all figured out, but I have so many different theories in my head about it that I'm just stumped. Part of me wants to just say "scr*$%@ it" and keep him home, while another part of me thinks that after all, this is my brave guy who will leave me in a heartbeat when we're at, say, Target and I want him to stay right by me! Plus I know they are doing lots of great stuff there, it's only two days a week, and three of his siblings are in the classrooms right next door and across the hall. Because it's such a small school he also has lunch and recess with the older three as well. Tuesday I tried letting him walk in with MRD instead of me, thinking that it would distract him from saying goodbye to me--THAT was such a disaster that I actually had to drive back up to school half an hour later to coax him into the classroom!

Since then we've talked about "marching bravely right into the classroom," and being strong and brave because he knows I'll always come back. Also, I told him that if he can make it into class seven times without crying, he can have his Power Rangers Halloween costume to wear around the house(do the math--pretty sneaky of me, right?). And finally, yesterday it was his turn to bring snack, so he had to go to school, right? And...he did it! No crying yesterday morning! Stay tuned...only six more school days until Power Rangers!!

~ 3 ~
Homeschooling is not quite dead around here! This week JPD and I made a tornado in a bottle, which was QUITE exciting.
And this morning we spent a lot of time on alphabet-writing, at his insistence. He is quite determined to read so he can get in on all the reading that goes on around here, especially our beloved Redwall series. WWD is on, like, book 10 in the series, and JPD has been thoroughly (as in, over and over) enjoying the animated DVDs.
The nice thing about homeschooling a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old is that pretty much everything we do counts as school--not that anyone's counting! :)

~ 4 ~
Not one to miss out on the homeschooling action, MPD worked hard this morning on puzzles and block-tower-building, as well as...drumroll...potty training...yes you read that right. We can laugh about this together in a couple of weeks when I give up, right? Actually I have two opposing theories about potty training: "Early--before age 2," and "Whenever," which has been my strategy of choice for the first 4 kids. But according to Montessori birth-to-three theory, the sensitive period for "toileting" is actually about 18 months, when kids can walk and are just becoming aware of their bodies' need to go poopy and pee. Well, on his way to the bath one night MPD just marched right up to the potty (it comes up to his chest, of course) and pretended to go, just like JPD does. He's also taken a big interest in his potty chair. So I'm going for it--who knows, maybe I'll get this parenting thing down the 5th time around, right?!!

~ 5 ~
I do miss "real" homeschooling, especially having more time with the older ones. But I must say that this fall is off to a great start. They're all settled happily (KLD more or less--she'll never admit to being happy, I think) in school, our afternoons are packed with extracurriculars, but just the right amount, and I am happy as a clam just doing my domestic vocation--making dinner, having down time with the little guys, organizing my homemaking processes :) and so on (yeah, yeah, blogging and meeting Bill for lunch a few times a week--the real story!). I'm hoping that I'll get things around here running smoothly, get us moved into the new house and settled, then pick up homeschooling next year again, possibly just for WWD's 6th grade and JPD's kindergarten. Of course, this time last year I never imagined that we wouldn't be homeschooling right now, so planning that far ahead seems a bit moot! Thy Will Be Done!!

~ 6 ~
Speaking of "Thy Will Be Done," this week KLD looked up at me with her big brown eyes and said "Mommy, we're not going to have any more babies, are we?" I laughed and said "What makes you say that, K?" And she said "Well, if you're too..." And then I REALLY laughed!! Because I always joke around about being "too old," although of course it's only a semi-joke. I told her that no, I'm not too old, but that when a mommy is in her 40s sometimes her body stops making babies as often as before. So we just don't know what God has planned for us. And of course that's the truth, but I was just cracking up!! Sweet Miss K just wants a baby sister so much, if nothing else to even things up around here! She can't stand being in the minority! :)

~ 7 ~
We close on the new house next Wednesday; I can't wait!!!

Retro Thursday

Hiking with their Dad, October 2005 (the last day I had a whole day alone--ha ha!!):

Book Review: "Masonry Unmasked: An Insider Reveals the Secrets of the Lodge"

Among his many hobbies and community service projects, my grandfather was a Mason.  All I ever knew about it was that: 1) because of him, I got to live at the Scottish Rite Dormitory for girls during college in Austin (which was great), and 2) there were some dressed-up guys doing some unusual chants and ceremony at the end of his funeral.  That's it. 

But I've always wondered about Masonry, particularly since becoming Catholic, since apparently Masons are anti-Catholic, or something.  So I was particularly interested to read Masonry Unmasked: An Insider Reveals the Secrets of the Lodge, by John Salza, for the Catholic Company's book review program.  Finally--all the scoop I ever wanted on masonry.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in this topic.  Written by a knowledgeable insider, the book provides thorough and straightforward insight into the Lodge, including its history, ideology, doctrines, and practices.  Salza gives an excellent analysis of Masonic ideology relative to Christianity, including a convincing argument that Masonry represents a grave error against Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.  He explores the history of the Church's opposition to the Lodge in detail.  In fact, it turns out that:

"the Catholic Church has opposed the Lodge nearly since the birth of modern Freemasonry in 1717.  Since the founding of the Grand Lodge of England...twelve different popes have collectively issued twenty-three separate condemnations of Freemasonry over a 245-year period, from the reign of Clement XII (1738) to John Paul II (1983).  If we spread the number of condemnations evenly over this period of time, we would see the Church condemning Masonry about every ten years...Rarely has the Church spoken about a topic more frequently."

The most fascinating part of the book, in my opinion, is in the chapter entitled "The Masonic Conspiracy," about the indelible impact that Masonry has had on our American society.  Like my grandfather, many Masons are hardworking, strong contributors within their communities.  Many if not most Masons are no doubt largely unaware of the darker influences within Masonry, which goes to great lengths to euphemize its broader objectives to recruits and newer members.  In addition, there is a strong link between members of our government and the Lodge; in fact, seventeen U.S. presidents have been Master Masons.  But shockingly, as Salza demonstrates, "Freemasonry has fought relentlessly to get rid of the Christian beliefs on which America was founded, and to usher in its nonsectarian worldview."  The Lodge has been instrumental in pushing the separation of Church and State, secularization of public schools, and, in fact, striving for a New World Order governed by Masonic principles--one "devoid of Christ and his Church."

If I had a criticism of this book, I'd want to suggest that I'd like to hear the arguments for the "other side," so as to understand what the Masonic response to Salza's analysis would be.  It turns out, however, that Salza plumbs the Masonic position quite thoroughly--so much so, actually, that I really don't need to know any more  arguments in favor of Masonry.  This book has truly taught me all I need to know.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Masonry Unmasked .

Maybe 11 isn't so grown-up after all...

...at least, not too grown-up to actually SLEEP with your new football and wearing your new wristbands and GB Packer gloves.  Go W!!

Happy Birthday WWD!

My firstborn child is 11 today...I guess now he is really halfway to being a grownup.  <Yikes!>  And what a birthday it was--football, football, and more football.  Last night he had a few friends over for some "tailgating" here at the house after school, then off to the high school football game with Bill. 

This morning W's own football team won their game, and we brought football-helmet cupcakes for the team afterwards.   WWD plays right and left tackle on offense, and right guard on defense--Grandma says this is just the same as Grandpa Lee played back in the day.

  And now we're watching the Longhorns beat Texas Tech...wins all around!  Now if only the Packers can keep it up tomorrow! :)

W, you loved your birthday, and I can't believe how big you are getting!  You are now 5'4" (we're pretty sure) and about 111 pounds.  I am just so proud of you I could bust!  You are so sweet, good hearted, generous, hard-working and disciplined (even though we always push you to be even more so!); you have a solid, powerful faith; you are a sweet and loving big brother to all your siblings; you are curious and analytical and want to understand everything about the world; you love reading (just like your mom!); you are helpful, honest, obedient, and loving.  I know that God has such a special plan for you, my precious sweetie boy!  (The first words I said to you when you were born--not that I can still call you that!!)

This week was 5th grade basketball tryouts and yesterday we found out that WWD made the "A" team for the travel tournament league!!  Wow!!  Basketball is going to be so much fun this winter--good thing, too, because there's going to be a lot of it. :)

WWD, we love you SO much!!!!!!!!!!

Retro Thursday

My soon-to-be 11-year-old, at his First Communion in April 2007 (was it already 2 1/2 years ago?!):

End-of-Summer Splash Park

We're not quite ready to let go of summer just yet, and Sunday afternoon we got kicked out of the house for showings to some would-be buyers, so...one last trip to the splash park!




Even BIG KIDS can have fun at the splash park, even if they're way too cool to actually change into their swimsuit first! :) (That's WWD behind that big spray--note the shoes and socks...)

MPD is One and a Half !

Happy half-birthday, MPD!
You are growing up so fast! We love your sweet and playful personality, and how much you want to be a "big kid" like your brothers and sisters. I love all your hugs and kisses and what a relaxed and easygoing guy you are. You are so smart and learn new things so fast! It is so much fun to watch you learn to say new words every day, and climb on higher and higher pieces of furniture (getting up on those bunk beds now...)! You love to drive your car (you love my car even more--signs of the future) and kick the soccer ball, you love your bath and reading books and waving bye-bye and playing peek-a-boo, you love doggies SO MUCH, and we love you SO MUCH!



God bless you, my sweet precious baby!

Prayer before a Crucifix

Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart, and give me, Lord, a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command.

~ St. Francis of Assisi

Maybe it's a Full House?

We've had each of the kids' baby announcements framed, starting in 1998 (well, actually he was born in 1998 but I think the framing actually occurred in 1999) at a tiny local shop near our old house.  For the last two babies, I had to wait until I was back in town--about 2 hours away--to drop off the announcement for framing.  I just got MPD's done a few weeks ago, as you can see above.

When the frame shop called to let me know it was ready, they regretfully added that the particular matching frame that I have always used has now been discontinued, and they have no way of getting it, ever again.

Could it be a sign?  Am I done having babies?  After all, I wouldn't want the little one to be scarred for life because his baby announcement frame didn't match his siblings'.     <he he he>

Let the Peace of Christ Control your Hearts

Yesterday's New Testament reading was an especially great one:

"Brothers and sisters:  Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.  And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father though him."

~ Colossians 3:12-17

Very helpful for me to remember with all that is happening in the news!

Triathlon!

No, sadly, not me in the triathlon--it was WWD and MRD.  Our pool has an all-ages Triathlon each year, and it is great.  W and M's age group did a 100M swim, 2 mile bike ride, and 1 mile run, which was hard.

Whew--they made it!! :)

   

Electronic Meltdown

Bad things come in threes, right? Here are mine from the weekend (which was otherwise quite blissful as usual):

1. While doing a bit of yard work, Bill chopped through our cable. I won't notice or miss the TV at all, of course, but internet? Ouch! Email? Double ouch! (Right now I am sitting by my open bedroom window so I can pick up my beloved neighbor's wireless signal (she won't mind, I promise).

2. Today my semi-new cell phone got about one drop of water on it in our swim bag and it seems deader than a doornail. If you need to reach me, don't count on my cell phone. It's almost a mercy killing, in a way, because I canNOT get used to this stupid phone. I want a different one.

3. My camera is cold dead and I can't find the power cord. I think I put it somewhere during our frenzy of tidying up for a house showing two weeks ago. I HATE not having my camera, of course. I have already missed at least three cute pictures of my sweeties, just in one day.

I should fix #2 and #3 by getting a new camera cell phone, right? And broadband would fix #1, right? Or I could just keep sitting by the window, hope my phone dries out and then charge it back up, and look harder for the camera cable. I'm sure it's somewhere totally obvious, like in the kids' library book bag or something.

Hope your Labor Day was fabulous! Goodbye summer...hello football!

It's A Hard Knock Life

When I said we give our kids chores around here, I wasn't kidding.  And let me tell you, we start young. 

Here's a day in the life of MPD today...

Feeding the baby...

Scrubbing potatoes for dinner...

Making sandwiches for lunch...

Sweeping the kitchen floor...

Changing the baby's diaper...

Laundry duty...

 

And all worn out after a hard day's work!!

As you can see, it's not easy being a 1-year-old around here!!

We love you, MPD!!!

Retro Thursday

At the zoo with our beloved Jamie, March 2006:

Second First Day of School!

Hooray for JPD! He loved his first day!!
I hope his teacher did too. :) Why do I always feel like I should pay extra tuition when JPD is involved?! Combat pay for the teacher, no doubt!
JPD how I love you, my curious, independent, energetic, precious boy!

The Perils of Royal Life

When living in a castle, with lots of royalty and knights around, one must be careful, especially when going downstairs at night, to watch out for random bits of knight armor lying around on the hardwood floors. One might have a big gigantic WIPEOUT and bust one's queenly knee, which will then swell up as big as a SOFTBALL, LIKE THIS:


Now I feel like this guy, of course...

...and started hobbling towards the garbage can with the little knights' wayward armor set. Bill stopped me, thank goodness! Now our knight can still properly defend our castle (as long as he starts remembering not to leave his armor lying around)!