For the Christian, there is no "strange human being." He is in every instance the "neighbor" whom we have with us and who is most in need of us. It makes no difference whether he is related or not, whether we "like" him or not, whether he is "morally worthy" of help or not. The love of Christ knows no bounds, it never ceases, it never withdraws in the face of danger or foul play. ~~St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Monday, March 26, 2007
And I quote...
For the Christian, there is no "strange human being." He is in every instance the "neighbor" whom we have with us and who is most in need of us. It makes no difference whether he is related or not, whether we "like" him or not, whether he is "morally worthy" of help or not. The love of Christ knows no bounds, it never ceases, it never withdraws in the face of danger or foul play. ~~St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Friday, March 23, 2007
"The Truth"
This is a horribly overdue review of a fantastic DVD. And I'm not just saying that the DVD is fantastic because the review is so very late.
The Reason for Our Hope Foundation (www.reasonforourhope.org) was established by Fr. Larry Richards as a way for the Gospel Message to go all around the world. I was sent a DVD of his talk called "The Truth." With humor, real talk, and personal stories, Fr. Larry clues us into the truth about why God created us.
So, why did God create us? Go back to your Baltimore Catechism, people: "God made us so that we may know Him, Love Him, and serve Him in this world so that we may be with Him in the next." That first question and answer from the Baltimore catechism is the basis of Fr. Larry's talk.
How well do you know Jesus, Fr. Larry asks. Are you going through the motions or do you have a real relationship with Him? Is your prayer life more "Shut up, God, I'm talking,' or is it "Speak Lord, I'm listening?"
Fr. Larry then asks us, "Do you let God Love you?" Are you afraid to let God love you as extravagantly as He wants to love you? Are you ready and willing to share His Love with others by loving them?
Finally, Fr. Larry asks if you are willing to submit your will to the Master's Divine Will. Are you willing to put God in charge of your time (Built-in prayer time), your family (praying together daily), your money (tithing, anyone?), and your s*x life (Written that way to keep this page from turning up on impure Google searches)? God wants what you are most unwilling to give up. What are you unwilling to hand over to God?
This DVD is billed on The Reason for Our Hope website as a DVD that can change your life. I think it can. Fr. Larry tells you these things you've thought about and turns it around so that you recognize them as the most elementary concepts and think, "Why haven't I been doing this all along?" Having the DVD around is good because when you feel yourself starting to fall, you can pop it back in the player and get a pep talk from Fr. Larry again. I highly recommend "The Truth."
The Reason for Our Hope Foundation (www.reasonforourhope.org) was established by Fr. Larry Richards as a way for the Gospel Message to go all around the world. I was sent a DVD of his talk called "The Truth." With humor, real talk, and personal stories, Fr. Larry clues us into the truth about why God created us.
So, why did God create us? Go back to your Baltimore Catechism, people: "God made us so that we may know Him, Love Him, and serve Him in this world so that we may be with Him in the next." That first question and answer from the Baltimore catechism is the basis of Fr. Larry's talk.
How well do you know Jesus, Fr. Larry asks. Are you going through the motions or do you have a real relationship with Him? Is your prayer life more "Shut up, God, I'm talking,' or is it "Speak Lord, I'm listening?"
Fr. Larry then asks us, "Do you let God Love you?" Are you afraid to let God love you as extravagantly as He wants to love you? Are you ready and willing to share His Love with others by loving them?
Finally, Fr. Larry asks if you are willing to submit your will to the Master's Divine Will. Are you willing to put God in charge of your time (Built-in prayer time), your family (praying together daily), your money (tithing, anyone?), and your s*x life (Written that way to keep this page from turning up on impure Google searches)? God wants what you are most unwilling to give up. What are you unwilling to hand over to God?
This DVD is billed on The Reason for Our Hope website as a DVD that can change your life. I think it can. Fr. Larry tells you these things you've thought about and turns it around so that you recognize them as the most elementary concepts and think, "Why haven't I been doing this all along?" Having the DVD around is good because when you feel yourself starting to fall, you can pop it back in the player and get a pep talk from Fr. Larry again. I highly recommend "The Truth."
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
7 years, no itching.
My girl Aimee tagged me, so here we go:
Marriage Meme
1. Where/How did you meet? we met one night when a bunch of us were in Steve Smugeresky's room watching a movie (I honestly think it was "The Little Rascals" remake. Wild partiers we were!). Smugs introduced Scott as "Gigs," his baseball nickname. Scott has absolutely no recollection of meeting me that night (He pleads that it's 'cause it was dark in the room and he couldn't see me. Whatever.)
I thought he might not remember me though because next day when i saw him on campus and said hi, he looked at Pat Rupee and shrugged. Later, we both became RAs at schoool and met at a dance (Tucker Underground deserves its own post...another time). we stayed up all night together in the 24 hour lounge. And he hasn't been able to get rid of me yet. ;)
2. How long have you known each other?: 12 years in October
3. How long after you met did you start dating?: If you go by the day he met me and didn't remember it, 6 months. If you go by the time he does remember meeting me: 6 weeks.
4. How long did you date before you were engaged?: about 3 years
5. How long was your engagement?: 14 months
6. How long have you been married?: 7 years
7. What is your anniversary?: March 4th
8. How many people came to your wedding reception: about 110
9. What kind of cake did you serve?: Marble cake with butter cream icing. It was served with berries. Not that we got to eat any of it besides what we fed each other-no cake smashed in face! I threatened an annulment if he did it.
10. Where was your wedding?: North Hills, PA, at Queen of Peace Parish ; recpetion at LuLu Country Club, where my mom was working at the time.
11. What did you serve for your meal?: I think there was beef and chircken and maybe salmon. I can't remember. I did make sure I ate, though. We paid for the whole thing ourselves and I wasn't going to my own party without eating the dinner!
12. How many people were in your bridal party?: 3 groomsmen, 2 bridesmaids, 1 jr. bridesmaid and a bridesman!
13. Are you still friends with them all?: Yes.
14. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony?: He got a little misty.
15. Most special moment of your wedding day?:Walking down the aisle with my dad.
16. Any funny moments?: Hmmmm...a girl I worked with got pretty ripped on the open bar. i didn't hear about it till after though...It was her first date with the guy she brought too. I don't think he ever called her again. Let that serve as a lesson to all the single girls in the house: a. Don't bring a guy to a wedding on the 1st date. B. Don't get so drunk on the first date that he has to carry you into the car.
17. Any big disasters?: Hm. There's the cufflinks i gace Scott got stolen when the jeewler sent them out to be engraved and he didn't get them till the morning of the wedding. Then there's the dress debacle (see below).
18. Where did you go on your honeymoon?: Key west, Fl.
19. How long were you gone? 5 days
20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? I would have worn a dress with sleeves or a wrap. And went with the firt photographer we interviewed.
21. What side of the bed do you sleep on?: I sleep on the left side (when looking from the foot of the bed)
22. What size is your bed?: Queen
23. Greatest strength as a couple?: We agree on all the big stuff and always make up before bed when we fight.
24. Greatest challenge as a couple?: Getting alone time together. And Agreeing on money stuff.
25. Who literally pays the bills?: I write most of the checks, but we have automatic bill pay with the bank, so i only have to write checks to the church and school. .
26. What is your song? "This Magic Moment" by the Drifters
27. What did you dance your first dance to?: Our song - see above
28. Describe your wedding dress: I wore a white floor length gown with a princess waist, sweetheart neck and 3 spaghetti straps on each shoulder. The skirt was a lot of crinoline, like a long ballet skirt. The bodice was covered in sequins and pearls that faded onto the skirt. As I type this it sounds tacky, but it was very nice and reminded me of a snowflake. Aimee can vouch for me that it wasn't as gross as it sounds. The first dress I deposited on was ivory satin with a fitted, boned bodice which had tulips embroidered on it and a chapel length train. It would have had cap sleeves and I would have worn gloves. If the bridal shop hadn't closed in the middle of the night without ever having ordered my dress and simply stealing my $650 deposit. No. I am not kidding. This deserves a post of its own someday also. The dress I wore was bought off the rack in a boutique in the mall 4 weeks befre my wedding. And I was lucky. The woman who owned that shop really screwed over a bunch of girls on the day of or the day before their weddings.
29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?: The bridesmaids and i all had white tulips and the guys all had white rose bouttonieres.
30. Are your wedding bands engraved? What do they say? no, for we are lame...
If this meme speaks to you, go ahead and share, just link back in the combox so we can read it.
Marriage Meme
1. Where/How did you meet? we met one night when a bunch of us were in Steve Smugeresky's room watching a movie (I honestly think it was "The Little Rascals" remake. Wild partiers we were!). Smugs introduced Scott as "Gigs," his baseball nickname. Scott has absolutely no recollection of meeting me that night (He pleads that it's 'cause it was dark in the room and he couldn't see me. Whatever.)
I thought he might not remember me though because next day when i saw him on campus and said hi, he looked at Pat Rupee and shrugged. Later, we both became RAs at schoool and met at a dance (Tucker Underground deserves its own post...another time). we stayed up all night together in the 24 hour lounge. And he hasn't been able to get rid of me yet. ;)
2. How long have you known each other?: 12 years in October
3. How long after you met did you start dating?: If you go by the day he met me and didn't remember it, 6 months. If you go by the time he does remember meeting me: 6 weeks.
4. How long did you date before you were engaged?: about 3 years
5. How long was your engagement?: 14 months
6. How long have you been married?: 7 years
7. What is your anniversary?: March 4th
8. How many people came to your wedding reception: about 110
9. What kind of cake did you serve?: Marble cake with butter cream icing. It was served with berries. Not that we got to eat any of it besides what we fed each other-no cake smashed in face! I threatened an annulment if he did it.
10. Where was your wedding?: North Hills, PA, at Queen of Peace Parish ; recpetion at LuLu Country Club, where my mom was working at the time.
11. What did you serve for your meal?: I think there was beef and chircken and maybe salmon. I can't remember. I did make sure I ate, though. We paid for the whole thing ourselves and I wasn't going to my own party without eating the dinner!
12. How many people were in your bridal party?: 3 groomsmen, 2 bridesmaids, 1 jr. bridesmaid and a bridesman!
13. Are you still friends with them all?: Yes.
14. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony?: He got a little misty.
15. Most special moment of your wedding day?:Walking down the aisle with my dad.
16. Any funny moments?: Hmmmm...a girl I worked with got pretty ripped on the open bar. i didn't hear about it till after though...It was her first date with the guy she brought too. I don't think he ever called her again. Let that serve as a lesson to all the single girls in the house: a. Don't bring a guy to a wedding on the 1st date. B. Don't get so drunk on the first date that he has to carry you into the car.
17. Any big disasters?: Hm. There's the cufflinks i gace Scott got stolen when the jeewler sent them out to be engraved and he didn't get them till the morning of the wedding. Then there's the dress debacle (see below).
18. Where did you go on your honeymoon?: Key west, Fl.
19. How long were you gone? 5 days
20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? I would have worn a dress with sleeves or a wrap. And went with the firt photographer we interviewed.
21. What side of the bed do you sleep on?: I sleep on the left side (when looking from the foot of the bed)
22. What size is your bed?: Queen
23. Greatest strength as a couple?: We agree on all the big stuff and always make up before bed when we fight.
24. Greatest challenge as a couple?: Getting alone time together. And Agreeing on money stuff.
25. Who literally pays the bills?: I write most of the checks, but we have automatic bill pay with the bank, so i only have to write checks to the church and school. .
26. What is your song? "This Magic Moment" by the Drifters
27. What did you dance your first dance to?: Our song - see above
28. Describe your wedding dress: I wore a white floor length gown with a princess waist, sweetheart neck and 3 spaghetti straps on each shoulder. The skirt was a lot of crinoline, like a long ballet skirt. The bodice was covered in sequins and pearls that faded onto the skirt. As I type this it sounds tacky, but it was very nice and reminded me of a snowflake. Aimee can vouch for me that it wasn't as gross as it sounds. The first dress I deposited on was ivory satin with a fitted, boned bodice which had tulips embroidered on it and a chapel length train. It would have had cap sleeves and I would have worn gloves. If the bridal shop hadn't closed in the middle of the night without ever having ordered my dress and simply stealing my $650 deposit. No. I am not kidding. This deserves a post of its own someday also. The dress I wore was bought off the rack in a boutique in the mall 4 weeks befre my wedding. And I was lucky. The woman who owned that shop really screwed over a bunch of girls on the day of or the day before their weddings.
29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?: The bridesmaids and i all had white tulips and the guys all had white rose bouttonieres.
30. Are your wedding bands engraved? What do they say? no, for we are lame...
If this meme speaks to you, go ahead and share, just link back in the combox so we can read it.
Friday, February 23, 2007
She's leaving home...bye bye
My wonderful mother has lived with us on and off (mostly on) for the last 6 years, ever since Primo was born. She moved out for about a year but she's been with us for about the last 4 years straight. She's on Social Security disability, but she helps me out so very much here at home. She's mothering all of us in our house. She's been an enormous blessing to us in so many ways. It's been great for our kids to grow up with their grandmother in the house.
My brother, Lt. Frank, is in the Navy and he is now stationed in San Diego, CA. He and Coleen have twin girls (see link to The Girls on sidebar) and they all just went out there yesterday. Frank will be deployed to fight the War on Drugs in the Pacific for 6 months starting in April. One of my nieces is still on a feeding tube. We do not have family in California.
Can you see where I'm going with this?
Mom is moving to San Diego in March. It's hard for me to write that sentence. It's hard for Mom to speak it. Please pray for all of us as we adjust to the changes and say our "See ya laters."
My brother, Lt. Frank, is in the Navy and he is now stationed in San Diego, CA. He and Coleen have twin girls (see link to The Girls on sidebar) and they all just went out there yesterday. Frank will be deployed to fight the War on Drugs in the Pacific for 6 months starting in April. One of my nieces is still on a feeding tube. We do not have family in California.
Can you see where I'm going with this?
Mom is moving to San Diego in March. It's hard for me to write that sentence. It's hard for Mom to speak it. Please pray for all of us as we adjust to the changes and say our "See ya laters."
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