Running with Perseverance

+St. Therese, Pray for us!+

I had a picture very similar to the one above of St. Therese in my room growing up.  My Dad took me to the Catholic bookstore one day when I was in junior high and I picked it out, just thinking that she was so beautiful.  At the time, I didn't know who she was, didn't know her name, didn't know the profound effect she would have on my life.

A few years later, during the summer of 1997 the Lord captured my heart on a week long retreat put on by NET called D-Week.  The retreat was for me that profound moment when a child of God finally realizes that they are such and embraces it.  Obviously, at the tender age of 14 I had much more spiritual growth in front of me (as I still do!), but it was a starting point and I praise God that it happened at such a vulnerable time of my life.  I am convinced that that retreat and my experience of God's love there is what preserved me from all the temptations and evils that can be found in high school.
The interesting thing that I realized years later was that when I returned home from my retreat, my Dad commented to me that while I was gone my bedroom smelled like roses.

"I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses."

Can Saints choose us?  I wonder if she chose to pray for me despite my unawareness of her.

Several years later, after getting married and having a few children, I encountered a friend who had a great devotion to St. Therese.  Interestingly, I resisted finding out more about her because I thought that *everyone* had a devotion to St. Therese and surely she had no time to pray for me! 
The one thing I may have been right about was that many people of my generation have a great devotion to her!  This morning when I got up, half of the Facebook statuses from my friends had to do with her, their love for her, their gratefulness for her prayers and for leading them closer to the Lord.

There is one ONLY THING to do here below: to love Jesus, to win souls for Him so that He may be loved. Let us seize with jealous care every least opportunity of self sacrifice. Let us refuse Him nothing - He does so want our love!

It wasn't until two years ago at this time that my love and devotion grew for St. Therese.  We had just moved to Colorado and I had just had Colette.  I was simultaneously reading Story of a Soul (finally!) and praying a Novena to St. Therese for an intention for a health issue I was having.  The day I started the Novena, I was outside of our church after Mass talking to others when a huge gust of wind blew up and this strew of flowers blew around my feet.  (There are many flowers on the property of our church, they're so beautiful!)  I also just happened to notice her stained glass window at the front of our church that day! 
Anyway, reading Story of a Soul was a life changing event for me.  There are only a few books like this (another one for me is The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva) and it was like walking with a Saintly friend who knew my heart, knew what I needed to do to grow in love for Christ, and what I needed to do to be a better Christian, wife & mother, and daughter of God.  Her simplicity was inspiring, her love for others was ground-breaking, and her love for the Lord was overwhelming.
Concerning the intention of my novena, my prayers were answered but not in a way that I expected.  The suffering didn't just go away, but my dear Saintly friend encouraged me to embrace it, to unite it with the suffering of Christ on the Cross, and to offer prayers for the conversion of hearts.  Months later it went away.

To offer oneself as a victim to Divine Love is not to offer oneself to sweetness - to consolation; but to every anguish, every bitterness, for Love lives only by sacrifice; and the more a soul wills to be surrendered to Love, the more must she be surrendered to suffering.

St. Therese has made herself present in my life during other times, particularly during a time of sadness about a year ago.  I don't really want to share that story, but I do want to acknowledge her continuing presence in my life and that of my family.  Charlie has grown to love her as well and has a particular devotion to her father, Blessed Louis Martin (a father of 5 girls I might add).  Currently, my one consistent prayer that I ask her to intercede on is for the maintenance of my little daughters' innocence.  I hope they grow up to be as innocent and faithful as St. Therese!

O my God, Thou knowest I have never desired but to love Thee alone. I seek no other glory. Thy Love has gone before me from my childhood, it has grown with my growth, and now it is an abyss the depths of which I cannot fathom.

There are so many more little connections (such as the fact that she is the patroness of our missionary organization!) and experiences with St. Therese.  I hope that someday I will meet her in Heaven, due in part to her prayers for me and the inspiration she has given me to love Jesus more and more during my life on earth.

I desire no sensible consolation in loving; provided Jesus feel my love that is enough for me. Oh! to love Him and to make Him loved...how sweet it is...

St. Therese, pray for us!

Weapons of Mass Instruction

It's good to be back home in Colorado, and I've been just dying to get back to the blog, especially since I just finished reading a great book that I wanted to post about.

As I'm sure I've mentioned in the past, I love to read, and I really have my parents to thank for that.  Growing up, back before internet was so prominent, I was very blessed to have access to their library.  If I ever forgot a textbook from school for homework, I wasn't doomed because we probably had a book about it.  So, it's a pretty big deal when I find a book that sends me into hysterics, shocks me, and alters my worldview in any way.  I just finished reading one of these.

I don't know if this book is the best one out there on this topic, and there are certainly some criticisms against it that are legitimate (it is sort of scary without much hope offered to the average parent).  However, I have never read a book about the history of the compulsory school system and I found it shocking, saddening, and enlightening.  It's never been a topic of interest for me, except when I was a sophomore at the University of Texas where the best professor I ever had made us read Lies My Teacher Told Me for a history class (I took 3 semesters worth of his classes, I really enjoyed him!).

By page xxi in the Prologue, I knew this was going to be a book that would cause me to gasp on multiple occasions.

"He [Ellwood P. Cubberley] had written in his book Public School Administration (1922) that "Our schools are...factories in which the raw products (children) are to be shaped and fashioned..." And that it is business of the school to build it's pupils according to the specifications laid down.
It's perfectly obvious from our society today what those specifications were.  Maturity has by now been banished from nearly every aspect of our lives.  Easy divorce laws have removed the need to work at relationships; easy credit has removed the need for fiscal self-control; easy entertainment has removed the need to learn to entertain oneself; easy answers have removed the need to ask questions.  We have become a nation of children, happy to surrender our judgments and our wills to political exhortations and commercial blandishments that would insult actual adults."

The book forced me to think about my own public school experience, and it made me thankful, once again, for the influence my family had on me.  The author mentioned many times that the message schools send students is "get an education so you can get a good job."  This was countered by my family.  My dad always told me that education should be something that one takes responsibility for for it's own sake.  They never pushed the "get a good job" message on me, in fact, more often I was asked, "what do you think will really make you happy in life?"  My father's natural intellectual gift was an example to me, he was (and still is) always reading about something interesting and (literally) knows something about pretty much any topic.  My mother has a great natural curiosity about anything.  As a child, I was encouraged to spend lazy afternoons at the library and bookstore, she encouraged me to seize opportunities for experiences as they approached (this is the reason I had quite a bit of international travel under my belt before I reached the age of 17), and even still Google is her favorite "go to" place to find out about anything she is even remotely interested in.  Basically, learning was about making oneself better, it was for pleasure, and it wasn't about my ability to, someday, be rolling in the dough.

The one thing I lacked (that I'll write about, I lack many things!) in my education, was the ability to think critically.  I had great "critical thinking skills" according to my teachers and grades.  I realize now that that only meant that I did a great job at thinking the way they wanted me to think.  I was an 'A' student, I was in the "gifted and talented" crowd, I took AP courses, got perfect scores on standardized tests, was admitted into a really good college.  I don't think I even started to acquire this skill until after Felicity was born and I had to prepare myself for a VBAC.  Since then, I question everything that I am told that is "conventional wisdom," and this is reflected in many of my life choices that I particularly enjoy.     

There are so many things I'd love to say about this book, but I'm afraid I'd bore my dear readers!  Let me just suggest that you take a look at it.  I got it from my local library. 

Bittersweet Irony

I placed an order online with Border's books recently because my very generous in-laws gave me a gift card.  One of the books I chose is The Creative Family, which arrived in the mail just yesterday. 
When Colette saw it, she got all excited and started exclaiming, "baby! baby!"  There is a baby on the front, so I handed it to her to look at. 
Of course, I didn't pay attention to the fact that I handed it to her while she was coloring.  By the time I realized that she had been quiet for a good while (never a good sign!), she had already become quite, ahem, creative with my "creative family" book.

I couldn't help but laugh...if she was going to get creative, that was the book with which to do it!  (As a side note, I am generally very careful about not allowing the children to draw or color on in appropriate things, but I couldn't help but be amused this time!)

Simple Woman's Day Book - July 1

FOR TODAY Tuesday, July 1...we are at FOCUS summer training for missionaries in North Carolina.  We've been here since May 31 and will stay until the end of this week!

Outside My Window... it is a gloriously sunny and cool first day of July!

I am thinking...about all the things I need to take care of to pack up and leave summer training this week!

I am thankful for...time with good friends!  The other night we got to go out for drinks with our good friends while our children were lovingly cared for by doting college girls.  It is such a blessing to have a sense of community and true friendship who are not only great fun, but who are also walking the Christian walk with us.

From the kitchen...there is still nothing coming from my kitchen, seeing as I do not currently have one!  I am looking forward to cooking again soon though!!

I am wearing...work clothes: yoga pants, running shoes, and my pink ICAN t-shirt.  My day will consist of going for a run, working on packing the apartment, doing laundry, and shopping.  No "business casual" for me today! (We are required to wear business casual for official FOCUS events like classes, mass, etc)

I am creating...a packing list.  We have several stops before getting back to Colorado and that requires some thinking ahead!

I am going...to be in Washington DC for the 4th of July!  We are so excited!  Since we can't move in to our house until the 8th, we're taking detours in DC for a day and a half, and Cincinnati where our friends are from!

I am reading... more of Conversation with God.  I am so thankful to my Dad for buying the set for me.  I have read it every day since he gave it to me!  I also just purchased Story of a Soul at the bookstore.  I've already read it, but I borrowed it from someone and wanted to read it again!

I am hoping...for safe travels home for my family and for our friends.  

I am hearing...music on itunes: Lay it Down by Matt Maher.

Around the house...I need to clean, do laundry, pack, and generally get ready for the trip home to Colorado!

One of my favorite things...mornings that aren't rushed: laying in bed with the whole family and snuggling with the girls, getting kisses from my baby, a relaxed breakfast accompanied by great conversation with friends...

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Enjoy the last few days here with the whole staff.  Finish week 2 of the couch to 5k.  Get the sand out of our bathing suits and my bag (we went to Folly Beach near Charleston for the weekend).  Clean out the van and buy snacks for our trip.  Spend the 4th of July in DC, attend Mass while we are there and pray for our country.  

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

this was my view of the Atlantic while I was out walking Colette to sleep at Folly Beach!

The Simple Woman's Day Book - June 16

FOR TODAY Monday, May 26...we are at FOCUS summer training for missionaries in North Carolina.  We've been here since May 31 and will stay until July.

Outside My Window...are some of the prettiest trees I have seen!  North Carolina is just so plush and full of natural beauty!  I especially enjoy the magnolia trees that have flowers as big as my head.

I am thinking...about how blessed I am, and Charlie and I are as a couple, to have found true fellowship and friendship with our dear friends John and Lisa.

I am thankful for...my Ergo.  It the the #1 baby item I have ever had.  I'm not really sure how I ever survived having 2 other babies without it!  100% worth the cost and the greatest birthday gift I could have received from my parents this last year!

From the kitchen...I will be having whatever is prepared for me!  I'm not cooking for the next 3 weeks!  We're a little spoiled here where they provide all our meals.  

I am wearing...my workout clothes after a long, high intensity and enjoyable walk with Lisa!  So, my awesome new running shoes (still not running here...the shin splints are lingering), black capris (I don't wear shorts - bleh), and a pink top.  And a bun.  :-)

I am creating...a budget.  Saving for a down payment on a house  in the next couple of years, and possibly a pilgrimage.  

I am going...to a holy hour every morning in the basilica!  It is so wonderful to have that precious time with our Lord!  My prayer time has just fueled me through this time of training.  I crave it and I hope to keep it going when we get back to Colorado.

I am reading... a collection of writings by my favorite Saint, St. Josemaria Escriva.  This book is one that I tote around with me everywhere!  I LOVE it! The Way, the Furrow, and the Forge   Here is what I am reflecting on today, "Have you not noticed that mortified souls, because of their simplicity, have a greater enjoyment of good things, even in this world?" The Furrow #982

I am hoping...that we will be able to follow through with an opportunity of a lifetime.  We have two options, both equally wonderful, and we are just praying that God will show us which one is right or if this particular opportunity is something to pass by for now.  How vague is that?!  lol

I am hearing...silence.  All my children are in bed and Charlie went out to a praise and worship session for the night.

Around the house...I need to do laundry!!!  I have quite a big accumulated after our super fun weekend trip to Myrtle Beach!!!

One of my favorite things...Charlie's new FOCUS team for this coming school year at UNC!  They are awesome!  We have 2 other men (woohoo!) and 3 women.  Charlie calls it "team international," as one of his men is from Nigeria and one of the women is from France.  So exciting...

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Learn more about salvation history after today's sessions by Dr. Tim Gray.  Help Charlie send out newsletters to our donors.  Pick up my pictures from the waterproof camera we took to the beach.  Reply to some email correspondence.  Pay my bills (I LOVE online billpay through my bank!!!) 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Our family's "beaches shoes," as Felicity calls them.  (Colette obviously has no need to flip-flops, as she does not walk! haha)

Thanks for stopping by today and for more information from the hostess, please go to The Simple Woman blog!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, May 26

I have been seeing these posts around the blogosphere and since I'm not doing as much blogging these days, I thought it would be a nice "set in stone" sort of way to be sure I'm posting something.  For more information from the hostess, please go to The Simple Woman blog!

 

FOR TODAY Monday, May 26...

Outside My Window...a lovely statue of Mary is right outside the window of the room where our computer is while we are here visiting my parents' house.  I love seeing here out there!

I am thinking...that I am looking forward to my date with my husband tomorrow night!

I am thankful for...the men who have been heroes for our country and given their lives to protect us and keep us safe.  We've been watching Band of Brothers and I am completely in awe of how heroic the men had to be!

From the kitchen...I will be preparing baked brie tonight for my husband and parents' as we settle in to watch movies.  It's so easy and something I learned from my MIL.  From the frozen section, purchase puff pastry sheets and thaw.  Slice off the top and bottom wax casing from a full round of brie cheese.  Place the brie on top of the sheet of puff pastry and top the brie with raspberry preserves.  Create a purse around the brie with the puff pastry and bake according to the pastry's directions.  When it's finished, the cheese will be deliciously melty (my own word!) and is perfect sliced up and eaten either alone or on crackers.

I am wearing...a long teal undershirt from Shade, a 3/4 sleeve black shirt on top, black yoga pants, my new New Balance running shoes (I have flat feet and needed special shoes.  Who knew?!), and some lovely dangly earrings that match my undershirt.  

I am creating...a grey knitted scarf out of super soft alpaca wool.  I'm not very good at knitting, just trying to get the hang of it.  I don't know how to end the scarf when I get there...thank goodness for internet or how would I learn these things?!

I am going...to prepare for our long drive to North Carolina where we will spend 5 weeks of training for FOCUS.

I am reading...In Conversation With God, daily.  My dad got me the whole set and I am just beside myself with excitement.  This prayer was offered during the last week and I could really relate to it, "Jesus, I believe, but grand firmness to my faith!  Teach me to back up my faith with deeds, to weep for my sins, and to trust in your power and mercy!"

I am hoping...to spend some time with my sweet husband soon.  I miss him a lot when we are visiting family.

I am hearing...a whole bunch of crazy kids running around and Charlie playing with them. (I have 4 sisters, 10 and younger so when we visit, there are 7 little girls running around!)  They are all headed to bed soon though I think!

Around the house...I don't have a home until we get back to Colorado in July.  Around the house at my parents' house, I need to fold all my laundry and start packing up for our drive.  My little girls' clothes so easily blend into my sisters' clothing that it's easy to loose it in the mix!

One of my favorite things...playing Wii golf with my darling husband during quiet moments around here.  Also, Dad's tasty Gin and Tonics!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Nursing my shin splints and getting back to the "Couch to 5K" plan (did I just admit that I'm attempting to run?  I may as well put it all out there - I'm hoping to run a 5K by September or October...I'm no athlete, so this should be interesting.).  Spending lots of time chatting with my Mama.  Honing my french braiding skills while I have big girls to practice on.  Cleaning the van and re-packing it for the drive to NC.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... 

Icing my shins...I need this pain to go away so I can get back to running!

It has been a lovely Memorial Day Monday!  I'm looking forward to my next Simple Woman's Daybook entry next Monday when we are in the beautiful state of North Carolina!