Women & Dress

Right now I'm reading an awesome series of talks for young women given by a solid priest in the 1920s. Though written almost a century ago, his words still ring very true. I highly recommend the entire booklet, but this excerpt on modesty struck me today...

"Of course I know that many excuses will be given for indecency in dress. Some girls say that they cannot spare the time or money to have a dress made, but must buy it ready made, and they can only get what is in style. But many of the dresses that are objectionable are not obtained at the stores, but are made to order.

Moreover, if the store style is extreme, it is because the demand for it is great. If Catholic girls insist on the proper style, it will be found on the counters. In most of our cities, the Catholic trade is worth having, and stores will supply that trade. But even if the stores are to blame, which I do not concede, a modest girl will know how to make a modest alteration.

Why should Catholics take up the fashions of those who are living merely for the life that is passing? Our forefathers suffered confiscation, imprisonment, exile and death for the Faith. Were they all fools? Millions of martyrs endured indescribable torture for the the Faith. Were they wrong?

Is what Christ says true, or not? 'What does it profit to gain the whole world and lose your soul?' The life is more than the body, and the soul is more than life. Because there is a sort of Christianized paganism abroad, are we going to be swallowed up by it?

In the early days of Christianity, the followers of Christ had to take their stand. If they had not, there would have been no Christian civilization. And are not we going to take a stand to preserve what was established in their blood!"

Bottom line, it is worth the extra time to look at our outfits on a daily basis and question ourselves. Do we look like Christian women, or do we blend in with the crowd? Looking fashionable and attractive is a good thing, and we should take our time getting dressed, embracing our femininity. But there is no excuse for immodesty. It should never be acceptable to leave the house with the potential of leading one of our brothers in Christ to sin, and giving other women the example that such dress is ok. Women are God's beautiful creatures and we should embrace this beauty by dressing with dignity.

Human Respect

A good friend of mine and I have recently been having a discussion about the vice of human respect. Human Respect basically means not saying the truth out of fear of offending someone. It is crazy to think that it is ever justified to withhold the truth of God because of someones feelings. Just today someone I don't even know sent me a very angry e-mail because of a comment I made on Facebook. A girl I know posted that she is having a bad day and looking for a reason to not get drunk. The reason I gave her is that God would rather she didn't. Accord to the girl who e-mailed me, that was very insensitive and I should apologize. Why would I ever apologize for encouraging someone in the truth? I have seen instances though where someone does state the truth in a way that appears unloving. We have to balance never be afraid to preach the gospel but at the same time not be offensive in a way that will turn someone off to the Lord. Mother Theresa was the master of this. Even if people did not like what she had to say, they respected her. I guess if one day I am as holy as her I will be capable of this too. Maybe in the meantime it is better to risk offense then hide God. Souls are thirsting for God. We can get upset and fight it but ultimately it is what we long for in the depths of our souls.

St. Patrick, Pray for Us

Happy St. Patrick's Day? In my opinion, this "holiday" is absolutely ridiculous in the United States. Green food, pinching and beer. That's all I have to say.

Read about the awesome Saint that American's (mostly non-Irish and non-Catholics) are apparently so "happy" about today.

http://catholicexchange.com/2009/03/17/116775/

Women's Health??

Yesterday President Obama signed an executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. The council's mission is to "ensure that American women and girls are treated fairly in all public policy". In addition, the critical focus of the council will be to build healthy families and improve women's health care. This council will also serve as a forum for the involved agencies to focus on women. What agencies, do you ask, will be involved?

Here is the official roll call:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/03/obama_signed_order_creating_co.html

Just to name a few who stand out to me:

United States Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Kim Gandy, NOW

Susan A. Cohen, Guttmacher Institute

Irasema Garza, Legal Momentum
Judy Gold, Chair, Women's Policy Council, Obama for America

Silvia Henriquez, National Latina Reproductive Health Institute

Nancy Keenan, NARAL

Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality

Ellen Malcolm, Emily's List

Sarah Morgenthau, Women for Obama

Darlene Nipper, Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Laurie Rubiner, Planned Parenthood

Sloane Kuney Rosenthal, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association

Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation

Ellie Smeal, Feminist Majority Foundation

Ann Lewis (H. Clinton's Sr. Advisor)

Mary Snider, HRC

Kate Michelman (Former head of NARAL)

I'll give you one guess about which organizations are without representation...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-White-House-Council-on-Women-and-Girls/

My Lack of Control

Eating Disorders are often connected to a person’s desire for control. Being unable to control outside events during one’s life, it is common for victims to focus on their weight and body image- to a point of an obsession, or disorder. Being a dancer who has gone through hours of eating disorder counseling, I thought that I have had my desire for control over my body, under control. That is, until I became pregnant. If there is one thing about pregnancy that is absolutely clear, it is this: I am not in control. Sometimes it is unclear whether my precious little baby boy is in control, or whether God is in control… but it is never me!

In the first trimester, sickness and nausea forced me to constantly nibble on carb-rich foods. To make things even more challenging, my nausea made exercise impossible… And believe it or not, this lack of diet and exercise was disturbing enough to keep me awake at night, feeling lousy about myself.

As timed passed, my aversion to many healthy foods, such as grilled chicken and vegetables faded, and I felt as though I could be “good” again (in diet language, good means healthy). But of course, the lingering nausea as well as my body’s desire to gain weight made me throw my food plan out of the window…again. Nope, still not in control.

As I approach the end of my pregnancy, now comes another challenging new aspect: my intense fear of being fat. For somebody who has spent so many years of her life putting value in appearances, suddenly feeling like a balloon version of myself has been a great struggle. It doesn’t help that the first thing people around you do is check you out from bottom to top, and even comment on your appearance. Talk about feeling self-conscious!

My purpose for this post is not to rant on about my insecurities and worries about my body. Nevertheless, since our blog is titled “Defining Beauty”, I felt that this subject is very appropriate, and I am fairly confident that I am not the only woman who has struggled in this area. In theory, I realize that pregnancy makes women are even more beautiful, due to the fact that God entrusts their bodies to house His brand new souls. So why is it that society’s standards of beauty are so engrained in our minds, that it is difficult for women to see the beauty in giving their life for their child?

The thing is, we are NOT in control-- God is. And God has made us all beautiful, in His image. If we let go and let Him stay in control of our lives, then we will reach our most beautiful potential. God has called me to motherhood, and answering this call is worth more than any pair of size 0 jeans.

The War has begun...

We need to increase our prayers and fasting. President Obama lifted the ban on stem cell research today. This means he is now allowing federal funding to be directed toward research on innocent babies made in labs. This is in my opinion worse then abortion because an entire group of babies can being made with the intention to destroy them. President Bush placed a ban on this in 2001 in order to protect the sanctity of life. Obama is wasting no time with his full attack on life.

Here is an article from today if you are interested in reading more about this sad event.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/09/politics/100days/domesticissues/main4853385.shtml

when to ask and when to let it be...

Last night I was driving home and praying about something and a thought came to my mind that I want to share and get feedback on. I often am conflicted between praying that God bring something to me that I desire and just being accepting of His will. We know that we need to trust in the Lord and be uniform with his will but we also know that he said "whatever you ask will be given to you." In the Old Testament we have the story of Hanna who went to the temple every day crying and begging God to give her a child. Eventually he did grant her request. So how does one know when to beg with tears like Hanna and when to humbly accept the Lord's will and move on? Does anyone struggle with this? What are your thoughts?

DO NOT USE THESE VACCINES

I found a comprehensive list of vaccines that use tissue from aborted babies...so try your best not to use these shots. I would highly recommend taking a copy of this list to your child's doctor appointments. Last time we were there they gave her a new shot that combined 3 vaccines and it didn't feel like there was any alternative so I went with it and researched it at home...3 months later I found it that was on this list. :(

http://www.cogforlife.org/fetalvaccines.htm

Focusing on the Little Things

A Lenten Reflection from the MI Young Adults blog.

A Lenten Message from His Holiness

For his lenten message this year, Pope Benedict XVI has decided to focus on fasting. Click here to read his beautiful reflection and teaching.

"In our own day, fasting seems to have lost something of its spiritual meaning, and has taken on, in a culture characterized by the search for material well-being, a therapeutic value for the care of one’s body. Fasting certainly bring benefits to physical well-being, but for believers, it is, in the first place, a “therapy” to heal all that prevents them from conformity to the will of God. "

"The faithful practice of fasting contributes, moreover, to conferring unity to the whole person, body and soul, helping to avoid sin and grow in intimacy with the Lord... Denying material food, which nourishes our body, nurtures an interior disposition to listen to Christ and be fed by His saving word. Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God. "

Hey, You've got Something Smudged on your Forehead...

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. During this season of fasting and abstinence, we prepare for the ressurection of Jesus on Easter. So what is up with the ashes?


The ashes symbolize two important things. First, it reminds us that we were physically created from nothing, or from the ground.

“…the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” - Genesis 2:7

Similarly, the ashes also remind us of our mortality; that someday our bodies will die and will also return to dirt-- but our souls will live eternally.

“By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; for you are dirt, and to dirt you shall
return.” - Genesis 3:19

Wearing ashes is a beautiful tradition of humility, and unity among our brothers and sisters in Christ. The practice of using ashes within repentence originates all the way back to Biblical times. On Ash Wednesday, the ashes become a visible and outward sign of our sinfulness and our desire for repentence. So-- Let's get to mass today and wear those ashes!


“Thou art dust, and to dust thou shall return.”

Lenten Reading

Ash Wednesday is next week, February 25! In trying to prepare my lenten sacrifices for this year, I realized that I am in major need of new spiritual reading books. Does anybody have any recommendations?? Please share!!

Where's your Daddy?

The media coverage of the recent birth of the California octuplets has brought several thoughts to my mind. Over the past weeks, reporters have dished out many intriguing facts about the family--an unemployed single mother, already has 6 children, and underwent in vitro fertilization.

I am glad that as a result of this event, the moral implications of in vitro are being discussed-- specifically the availability of the treatment. Although it is beautiful that this mother decided against "fetal reduction" (and carried all 8 babies), there is more than one issue involved. The Catholic Church teaches us that in vitro fertilization is a gravely immoral act, due to the fact that is separates the marriage act and the conception of a human life. During in vitro, the man has to masturbate in order to give his sperm, and the woman is given hormones to stimulate her ovaries. From there, the embryo is conceived, life is originated in a petri dish, and later implanted into a woman's uterus. In some cases, embryos will even live in the petri dish for several days, in order for the doctors to "weed out" the weaker persons. Because the Church clearly teaches that life begins at conception, this becomes a very serious subject.

More significantly, however, I have noticed that despite the constant attacks towards the octuplet's mother, I have heard very little reaction to the fact that these 14 children have been brought into the world to be raised without a father. In a way, this woman's decision to bear children is the flip side of the pro-choice mentality: It's my body and I can do what I want with it. In her case, she felt that she deserved a "right" to motherhood. But the question still prevails... What about daddy?

Fatherhood IS a part of creation established in the order of nature, and it should never be separated from it. God Himself, in His greatness, even reveals himself as a Father to us. I do not think that we can even wrap our minds around the dignity that this brings to all earthly fathers! I have never heard of any research that does not support a child's need for both a mother AND a father. In his encyclical titled Familiaris Consortio, John Paul the Great tells us that "when they become parents, spouses receive from God the gift of a new responsibility. Their parental love is called to become to children the visible sign of the very love of God 'from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named' (Ephesians 3:14-15). Unfortunately, our culture already tends to greatly undervalue fatherhood. Most examples of dads in the media are flat-out idiots (just turn on the Simpsons, Family Guy, and almost any sitcom).

I could go on, but my true purpose for this post is to simply announce that the issue that disturbs me the MOST about the octuplet's situation (other than the fact that in vitro is morally wrong), is the fact that there is no father is present. Let's pray for this family, that the octuplets and their siblings come to find strong men in their lives to lead them. Let's pray for all the men who embrace their vocation to fatherhood that they continue to be examples of our Heavenly Father in heaven. Let's also pray for the sanctity of marriage and life.

Red Envelope

Got this from a friend and think it has the potential to be very powerful...

Dear Friends and Intercessors:

This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind
began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions
that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that
he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions,
permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for
contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for
nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political
party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and
this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54%
of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer
be legal.

As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea.
Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful
image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message
to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this
issue. It will be quiet, but clear.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. (You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply
stores.) On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.
It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the
world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every
one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we
could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died
before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of
the president.

Be your baby's Personal Chef

I started making E a bunch of her baby food so I wanted to share the "recipes." First of all, your going to need ice cube trays, aluminum foil, freezer baggies, something to mash with (fork, masher, etc.), blender/food processor,water and a steamer (it can be an insert or a separate machine).

FREEZING FOOD
Put the food into ice cube trays and cover with foil. Freeze, then remove cubes, and toss them into a baggie. *Important: Make sure you label the baggie with the type of food and a discard by date (2 months from when you made it)*

DEFROSTING FOOD
Put a cube into a microwave safe bowl and heat at 50%. Times vary with each food and microwave so start with 15 seconds and go from there. Make sure the food is lukewarm so you won't burn the baby's tongue.

AVOCADO
A excellent choice for a baby's first food. It's got a mild taste and tons of nutrients. Get a bunch of ripe avocado, peel and pit em, then mash them. I like to put them in a mixing bowl and use the potato masher and then add water until it's a baby food-like consistency (it should fall off the spoon pretty easily). Follow freezing instructions.

MANGO
Peel with a veggie peeler and cut off the fleshie part from the giant seed. Throw it in the blender or food processor and add wanter to get the right consistency. Follow freezing instructions.

CARROTS
I cheat and buy organic baby carrots since they're already peeled. Throw them in the steamer till they're soft. Puree them and add water if needed. Follow freezing instructions.

As you can see these instructions get pretty repetitive. You can use canned fruits/veggies just rinse them off and always buy the no sodium and non sweetened versions. Organic is good too. Oh yeah, if you heat up the food and it comes out too watery, I just add a little rice cereal to thicken it. And you can feed babies unsweetened applesauce instead of buying baby food jars.