This is the article...
Friday, September 19, 2008
When marriage breaks down...
Those who oppose Prop 8 wants us to believe it is just about freedom. They want us to think that it is just letting two people who love each other be together. They want us to think that it will have no effect on the rest of us. Read the article below and see that it will actually have a HUGE effect on society as a whole. An amazing Priest gave his homily on this at Mass this morning. He said that it could eventually be a law that Catholic schools must teach that marriage between two members of the same sex is okay. My school will shut down before we teach anything contrary to the Church. He also said that Priests could be put in jail for refusing marriage to a homosexual couple. The California Supreme Court is saying that religious freedom does not apply to this. I am gearing up for martyrdom, how about you!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Jordin Sparks rocks my world
I was watching Fox News the other day and caught the tail-end of an interview with Jordin Sparks. During MTV's VMA Awards, Russell Brand made fun of the Jonas Brothers who wear purity rings: "It is a little bit ungrateful because (the Jonas Brothers) could literally have sex with any woman they want, but they're just not going to do it!", Brand told the audience. "That's like Superman just deciding not to fly, but to go home on a bus." Jordin Sparks defended them: "I just wanna say, it's not bad to wear a promise ring because not every guy and a girl wants to be a slut, OK?" I just think it's so awesome that she stood up in front everyone and said that. I mean, I get freaked out giving chastity talks to Catholic groups... thinking that people are going to make fun of me for bringing such a radical message... but she stood up in front of all these MTV folks and defended what she believes in. She is rad and rocks my world.
My little "failure"
So I was reading up on Natural Family Planning to start relearning it. Every website sites success and failure rates. And I got to thinking ("Uh - oh", as my darling husband would say), aren't the failures really PEOPLE??? I guess it's a failure with respect to the "plans" the couple had, but seriously, how is creating an eternal soul considered a failure?
It's bad enough almost every person who found out about my pregnancy asked if was planned, but even with a 2.5 month old baby I am STILL being asked. Does it reeeeally matter? I mean, she's right there, she can hear you. Would you ask me that if the baby was 3 and could understand you? Sorry this is turning into a rant, but I guess it's just so lame that people place so much emphasis on "baby control" as my grandma says.
(Also, many website that cite NFP "failure" rates as 25% don't tel you that includes couples who don't always abstain when they're supposed to. The true bonus baby rate is 2%)
Not on topic, but still awesome:
Get in free to Disneyland on your birthday!!! :)
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/disneyland/index?name=CelebrationsDLRFreeOnYourBirTHDAYPAGE
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/disneyland/index?name=CelebrationsDLRFreeOnYourBirTHDAYPAGE
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Media sells false beauty
Today in my HS Morality class the students made a project from cutting pictures out of magazines. Someone donated a bunch of Cosmo's for me to use but as I was going through them I realized that Cosmo is soft porn. It has pictures of nearly naked women. I am not just talking immodest clothing but actually pictures with girls just covering their "private parts". The articles were all about sex and the best kind of birth control (gag), "how to be good in bed" and many other crazy topics. I was horrified. I could not believe what lies girls are fed these days. They are basically being told that they need to be naked, excessively thin, and an animal in bed to be worth anything. I pray that today on the birth of our Blessed Mother we see a rebirth of true beauty and real value for women.
Friday, September 5, 2008
A Case for Young Marriage
There is no doubt that people in this society are opposed to marrying young. I cannot tell you how many people have given me questioning, or even pitiful looks when they find out that I am 23 years old and already married. As crazy as this sounds, sometimes when I want to be perceived as older than I am, I carefully flash my lefthand ring during a conversation. This came in especially handy when Michael and I went car shopping, and the dealer (noticing us arguing a little) made a comment about how fun SIBLING rivalry can be!!! The bottom line is, marriage before late-twenties is not expected, nor is it socially accepted in our culture.
Many responses to this article http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/on_marrying_young#When:01:30:02Z which favors young marriages, argued that not everyone has to be married young. Of course this is true; a marriage’s holiness is in no way based on age, and there are endless valid reasons for getting married later in life. What is important in this subject matter is that young people, especially those in relationships, need to constantly discern the possibility of marriage. Instead of cohabitating, or floating from relationship to relationship until a young person feels “ready”, marriage should always be the end goal for couples. I have no doubt that many people in their late-teens and possibly in their early twenties may not be ready for marriage or may not have met a suitable partner, and in these case, they should abstain and postpone entering relationships altogether. If a couple is mature enough to enter into a courtship, they should be mature enough to marry.
For those of you who know me, it is clear that I did not even follow my own advice. I entered a relationship at 18, and despite being committed, I did not anticipate wedding bells for several more years. When Brodle was finally old enough to support himself financially, we still met much opposition for being too young. A long engagement until I finished college became a very painful experience, but everyone agreed that this was the “smart” thing to do. Obviously, we were finally married at 22 and 26, making every ounce of patience worth it.
Marriage and parenthood at a young age is no doubt difficult, mostly due to financial strains and a lack of supportive communities. Young marriage however, also has many advantages, as couples grow and mature together during “moldable” years of life, and have more energy to raise little ones. Either way, marriage should not be socially discouraged (it should be encouraged!), and a real, discerned vocation (to marriage or religious life) should never be postponed… Only by aligning our will to God’s will we find His peace!
Many responses to this article http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/on_marrying_young#When:01:30:02Z which favors young marriages, argued that not everyone has to be married young. Of course this is true; a marriage’s holiness is in no way based on age, and there are endless valid reasons for getting married later in life. What is important in this subject matter is that young people, especially those in relationships, need to constantly discern the possibility of marriage. Instead of cohabitating, or floating from relationship to relationship until a young person feels “ready”, marriage should always be the end goal for couples. I have no doubt that many people in their late-teens and possibly in their early twenties may not be ready for marriage or may not have met a suitable partner, and in these case, they should abstain and postpone entering relationships altogether. If a couple is mature enough to enter into a courtship, they should be mature enough to marry.
For those of you who know me, it is clear that I did not even follow my own advice. I entered a relationship at 18, and despite being committed, I did not anticipate wedding bells for several more years. When Brodle was finally old enough to support himself financially, we still met much opposition for being too young. A long engagement until I finished college became a very painful experience, but everyone agreed that this was the “smart” thing to do. Obviously, we were finally married at 22 and 26, making every ounce of patience worth it.
Marriage and parenthood at a young age is no doubt difficult, mostly due to financial strains and a lack of supportive communities. Young marriage however, also has many advantages, as couples grow and mature together during “moldable” years of life, and have more energy to raise little ones. Either way, marriage should not be socially discouraged (it should be encouraged!), and a real, discerned vocation (to marriage or religious life) should never be postponed… Only by aligning our will to God’s will we find His peace!
Monday, September 1, 2008
A little meditation on Motherhood
Lately I've been reflecting a great deal on the various aspects of growth into motherhood, as I am blessed with a beautiful 6 week old baby girl to care for each day. Looking back on pregnancy, I've appreciated that preparation, and had many thoughts on the process.
The three trimesters of pregnancy really cover the three cardinal virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. During the first trimester, new mothers are called to sacrifice for this tiny life inside of them. No one can tell that you're pregnant, with the naked eye, yet you KNOW your body is doing something. There is a great deal of discomfort for your child that you cannot feel or see. You are called to believe, as a belief is a readiness to act, and change habits by taking prenatal vitamins, making sure you do not consume alcohol, and avoid the fun rides at disneyland despite what your eyes tell you.
The second trimester is filled with hope. Often called the "honeymoon" period of pregnancy, you (most women, at least) are feeling less sick, and more energetic. The Lord gives you little reminders that there's a little person inside of you as you start to feel movement. Tiny little feet and hands poke your belly, and suddenly, you dream of your little boy or girl. It is in this trimester that you can learn if it is a little boy or girl growing within your womb and the picture in your dreams becomes clearer. Your belly starts to pooch out showing others that you are a vessel of life, and it continues to grow.
The third trimester we are called to love in offering our bodies for our child. Your belly becomes much bigger and just getting up from the sofa becomes a weight training exercise. Your body looks much different from just 6 months earlier, although just as, if not more beautiful. And you start to really feel the effects of the extra weight. The baby starts to interrupt your sleep with stronger kicks, until your labor begins. You've prepared for this moment for 9 months and here you are, laying your body down into God's hands so He can guide this little child into the world.
That first cry is heard, and you can't help but think that suffering wasn't enough to deserve to hold this precious gift in your arms.
The period of love continues for the rest of your life because we'll give of ourselves until we can give no more. I'm learning that it's what motherhood is all about.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Freedom for Women
Speaking of her husband, Michelle Obama said: “He’ll protect a woman’s freedom of choice, because government should have no say in whether or when a woman embraces the sacred responsibility of parenthood.”
I am getting frustrated by "Pro-Choicers", (especially women) who seem to be COMPLETELY missing the point. The pro-life movement is not an attempt to attack women's freedom, or make doctors' criminals. We are pro-life because we are pro-women and pro-doctors. And yes Mrs. Obama, I agree that a woman should have the right to decide whether or not she is ready to parent. Practicing abstainence is a very respectful and effective way to live out this decision, requiring no government intervention whatsoever...
As pro-lifers are not trying to create a bunch of rules, we are trying to create FREEDOM for our world. We want to give future generations the freedom and the right to LIVE. I know that I am preaching to the choir, but it completely blows my mind how these simple facts seem to be so distorted.
On a more positive note, McCain has chosen Alaskan senator Sarah Palin as his running mate. She is a mother of 5, (her youngest even has downs!), and I found the following quote from her:
“I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman.”
Could this mother and politician actually provide a strong and beautiful female role model for our nation and world?
I am getting frustrated by "Pro-Choicers", (especially women) who seem to be COMPLETELY missing the point. The pro-life movement is not an attempt to attack women's freedom, or make doctors' criminals. We are pro-life because we are pro-women and pro-doctors. And yes Mrs. Obama, I agree that a woman should have the right to decide whether or not she is ready to parent. Practicing abstainence is a very respectful and effective way to live out this decision, requiring no government intervention whatsoever...
As pro-lifers are not trying to create a bunch of rules, we are trying to create FREEDOM for our world. We want to give future generations the freedom and the right to LIVE. I know that I am preaching to the choir, but it completely blows my mind how these simple facts seem to be so distorted.
On a more positive note, McCain has chosen Alaskan senator Sarah Palin as his running mate. She is a mother of 5, (her youngest even has downs!), and I found the following quote from her:
“I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman.”
Could this mother and politician actually provide a strong and beautiful female role model for our nation and world?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Welcome!
To our readers,
Welcome! Thank you for visiting our blog. We would like to introduce ourselves and express our hopes and inspirations for this blog.
We are a group of (eight) young, Catholic women. Although most of us grew up Catholic, we each found our way to the fullness of the faith in different ways and at various times in our lives. Despite our unique stories, our common heavenly goal has brought us together to form deep and supportive friendships, as we walk with Jesus Christ.
Being young adults, we are all encountering various crossroads during this transitional time in our lives. We are no longer guided by parents and school credits, but are now facing "Real-World" decisions. These challenges are constantly helping us grow in our love for our Lord and His Church, as we let Our Creator guide our lives. Although some of us are mothers, wives, teachers and some of us are still discerning vocations, we are all focused on our ultimate calling in life: to Love. With Love, we can give glory to God, and live out true beauty and femininity.
We hope that this blog will inspire and encourage other women from all over, in the way our friendship has helped us.
May God bless you and Mary keep you!
Welcome! Thank you for visiting our blog. We would like to introduce ourselves and express our hopes and inspirations for this blog.
We are a group of (eight) young, Catholic women. Although most of us grew up Catholic, we each found our way to the fullness of the faith in different ways and at various times in our lives. Despite our unique stories, our common heavenly goal has brought us together to form deep and supportive friendships, as we walk with Jesus Christ.
Being young adults, we are all encountering various crossroads during this transitional time in our lives. We are no longer guided by parents and school credits, but are now facing "Real-World" decisions. These challenges are constantly helping us grow in our love for our Lord and His Church, as we let Our Creator guide our lives. Although some of us are mothers, wives, teachers and some of us are still discerning vocations, we are all focused on our ultimate calling in life: to Love. With Love, we can give glory to God, and live out true beauty and femininity.
We hope that this blog will inspire and encourage other women from all over, in the way our friendship has helped us.
May God bless you and Mary keep you!
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