February 24, 2008

Vive Modestie!

TheRebelution.com: The Modesty Survey

From the website TheRebelution.com, comes a wonderful and fascinating survey... about Modesty! This survey was released as a St. Valentine's Day gift from Christian guys to Christian girls every where and of any age! A more beautiful and appropriate gift, I personally can't think of myself! I was amazed at how many guys care about helping us girls help them by being modest! I was so thankful by input and advice those guys gave by participating in the survey!

Over 1,600 Christian guys have answered questions on everything from glitter lotion and lip gloss to swimsuits and skirt slits! It's everything girls have ever wanted to ask guys about modesty, but were afraid to ask! For guys, it's really interesting to see what other Christian guys think! Most importantly, the survey is presented as a resource to help Christian girls (and guys), not a list of legalistic rules, and it is accompanied by the Modesty Survey Petition (which tons of guys have signed) which encourage young women to focus on the heart, not the hemline, to honor their parents, etc.

-from the Rebelution website.

For you guys out there, they are still accepting signitures for the Modesty Survey Petition, so visit The Rebelution and put your names on it today!

www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey

For those of you who signed the petition, or will sign it, THANK YOU!!!!!!

The Church and the Forty Days

The Church is being urged ever more loudly and insistently to exchange a distant and undreal redemption by the Word for a more robust redemption by bread and the sure path of politicization. Our experiance, then, is of a Church in the wilderness, a Church in her forty-day period. It is one of exposure to emptiness, to a world that seems, religously speaking, to have become wordless, imageless, soundless; exposure to a world in which the heavens over us are dark and distant and impalapable. And yet for us too and for the Church of our day this time in the wilderness can become a time of grace in which a new love can grow out of suffering induced by God's distance from us.
We often have the oppressive feeling that the manna of our faith will be enough only for the presant day - but God gives us that manna new each day if we allow him to do so. We must live in a world in which in God is seemingly to be found only as One who is dead - but He can strike living water even from dead stones.
A Church in her Lent, in her "forty days" in the wilderness. I believe that during this season of fasting we must hearten ourselves anew to accept our situation in patience and faith and to follow fearlessly after our hidden God. If we journey on in patient faith, then for us too a new day can dawn out of the darkness. And God's bright world, the lost world of images and sounds, will be restored to us again; there will be a new morning in God's good creation.
- Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI
The Third Word of Christ ~ "Woman, behold thy son. Behold thy mother."

February 17, 2008

John Paul 2, We Love You!

O Papa, my heart is aching.
O Papa, you left us still wanting you. *

Last night, my family and I finished watching the movie "Pope John Paul II", and inspiring and moving video on Pope John Paul the Second. I was moved by this great man's life story, one I was only around for the end of. Produced by Ignatius Press, in cooperation with the Vatican, this is one film worth watching.

You kept a spirit of humbleness

Tore down the curtain of Communisits

Moving forward spreading

truth... peace... *

While such a great man must be hard to potray to the satisfaction of those who knew him, the actors picked for the Pope did an outstanding job. I was so moved at how much they looked and sounded like our dear Holy Father. The rest of the actors were no less amazing. Even though the film stars many big name actors (Jon Voight, Cary Elwes, Christopher Lee, Ben Gazzara and James Cromwell) it is not the actors that you see, but the people that they potray.

You touched our heart with,

Your prayer and your suffering and,

Brought us the years of

the Rosary and Eucharist. *

"Had I won the Emmy, I was going to say the following: 'Playing John Paul II brought me peace withing and humbled me greatly. It was an amazing adventure. His love touched us all'. Those were the words in my pocket." said Voight.

"If you get to play a million roles as an actor, you're lucky to be remembered for one," said Elwes. "If I'm remembered for this one, I'll be very lucky." ..."I draw the line now. I won't do roles that are flippant, or filled with expletives for no reason, or that have no value. Playing John Paul Really defined that for me."**

Oh Papa, So be it Amen.
Oh Papa, So be it Amen. *
*"Oh Papa" by Simonetta

**John Paul II companion booklet

Announcing the Upcoming Preformance of...

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

written by Thoedore Dubois
Directed by Simonetta Pacek
Sung by the Passion and Most Blessed Sacrament Choirs
Accompanied by a beautiful Orchestra
and


"The Seven Last Words of Christ" consists of Christ's 7 last phrases from the Cross (e.g.: "Father, why have you forsaken me?"). The work is a sacred, classical masterpiece, written for an orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists. The Troupe will create a complimentary live theatrical setting for the musical work, with actors and visual effects. This is a lovely and moving, Lenten meditation.

For Tickets and more information, visit the Little Flowers Catholic Dance and Theater Troupe website.

Forty Days of Preparation

In the forty days of the preparation fo Easter, we endeavor to get away from the heathenism that wieghs us down, that is always driving us away from God, and we set off toward Him once again. So, too, at the beginning of the Eucharist, in the confession of sin, we are always trying to take up this path again, to set out, to go to the mountain of God's word and God's presence... We must learn that it is only in the silent, barely noticeable things that what is great takes place, that man becomes God's image and the world once more becomes the radiance of God's glory.

Let us ask the Lord to give us a receptivity to His gentle presence; let us ask Him to help us not to be so deafened and desensitized by this world's loud outcry that our receptivity fails to register Him. Let us ask Him that we may hear His quiet voice, go with Him, and be of service together with Him and in His way, so that His kingdom may become present in this world ... We imitate God, we live by God, like God, by entering into Christ's manner of life. He has climbed down from His divine being and become one of us; He has given Himself and does so continually... It is be these little daily virtues, again and again, that we step out of our bitterness, our anger toward others, our refusal to accept the other's forgiveness. This "littleness" is the concrete form of our being like Chirst and living like God, imitting God; He has given Himself to us so that we can give ourselves to Him and to one another.
~ Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI
The First Word of Christ "Father, forgive them, for the know not what they do."
The Second Word of Christ "This day you shall be with me in paradise."

February 15, 2008

Father, Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do

This is a prayer request. Yesterday, St. Valentines Day, there was a gun shooting at NIU, a collage about an hour from where I live. We heard the news from a friend, because a girl I know goes to collage there. She said she was walking down the hall to that classroom for her next class, but before she got there, the gunman locked the door to the room. While she escaped, some of her friends were in there.
According to news reports, at least 7 people were killed - including the gunman. 22 people total were injured or killed, with 17 or 18 having to be taken to the hospital. At 9:30pm, 5 were in critical condidtion. All of the injured were students, and the gunman is believed to be a graduate of the collage.
Please join me in praying for the souls of those who are dead, for their families and friends, and for all the people involved.

February 10, 2008

Random Posting....

First, I would like to officially welcome my mother to the blogsphere! If you have not yet done so, please stop by Homeschooling With Joy for a visit.
Second, Happy 175th Birthday to General J.E.B. Stuart, born on February 6th. (I don't feel so bad that my birthday is on Holy Thursday this year, his was on Ash Wednesday.)
February 6, 1833 - May 12, 1865
And also a Happy 184th Birthday in advance to General Winfield Scott Hancock, born on February 14th, 1824. Ironcially, today is the anniversary of his death in 1886. =(
Third.... Regina Doman wrote about the sleepover Veronica and I had on her blog! To read what she wrote, see here.
Unless I think of something else to post, see you next Sunday!

Tag! You're It!

My dear godmother Claire tagged me, so here is what I must do...
1.) Link to the person who tagged you. (check!)
2.) Post the rules of tagging on your blog. (check!)
3.) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (check!)
4.) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to them. (check!)
5.) Let each person know they have been tagged by commenting on their website.
So here it goes...

1.) My name was originally going to be "Amanda Lynne". My grandma, however, refused to let my mom name me that because.... "It sound's like an instrument!" (A mandolin - Amanda Lynne.) Oh, and I was named "Amanda" after this allegedly "cheesy" song called "Mandy" by Barry Manilo(sp?).

2.) My dream home is a mansion on a large plateau on top a majestic mountain with an absolutely breathtaking view off the front of the house. And the house MUST have a wrap-around porch/walkway with huge columns in the front. Oh yes, and an interior "North Woods" decor. Preferably somewhere in either Alabama near the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, or in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia, near Lexington. (How quirky is that?)

3.) I have never tasted a dessert that was too sweet for me... however, some things are just too chocolate-y.

4.) I have been told that when my sister, Megan, was born, someone came to tell me that my new sibling was a girl, to which I just looked at them and replied. "I knew that already!" (An aside, I was correct about all the rest of my siblings, with the exceptions of the last two.)

5.) I was the only person at my Confirmation who had the name "Rose."

6.) And.... one of the many and varied reasons that I like the Confederates is... *and I blush* I just love that shade of gray that they use for the uniforms! (Well, they used it in the movies, anyways.) It is just soooo pretty! *sighs at her frivolous self*.

Only six things!?!?! That was fun! Now to tag people.

First, my dear mother, who tries to Homeschool with Joy!
Bryant who says He Whom I Have Not Seen, I Love, meaning Our Lord, of course!
Paul Xavier, who's Catholic Discussions I delight in reading.
My favorite author.... Regina Doman.
Family friend Mr. Miller and the rest at Miller Time,
And finally, Signa Veritae!

Now, off to let them all know that they have been tagged.... Watson, the game is afoot!

Entering into Lent

Lent is a propitious time in which the Church invites Christians to be more intensely aware of Christ's redeeming work and to live our baptisim more profoundly... With its duration of forty days, Lent tries to recall some of the events that marked the life and history of ancient Israel, presenting to us again its paradigmatic value... The Lenten season is an invitation to relive with Jesus the forty days he spent in the desert, praying and fasting, before undertaking his public mission... This is the authentic and central program of the Lenten Season: to listen to the Word of truth, to live, to speak, and do the truth, to reject lies that poison humanity, and are the door to evils. It is urgent, therefore, during these forty days, to listen again to the Gospel, the Lord's Word, Word of truth, so that in every Christian, in each one of us, the awareness be reinforced of the truth that has been given, that he has given us, to live it and be his witnesses. Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life. Thus, the Lenten season offers us an ascetic and liturgical journey that, helping us to open our eyes in face of our weakness, makes us open our hearts to the merciful love of Christ.
~ "Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI"

February 4, 2008

Just to let you know...

...starting Ash Wednesday, I shall be taking a Lentan sabbatical from the Internet, and hence, this blog. I shall miss you! However, I will be present once a week on Sundays, posting a meditation from the book Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI. (And on my sister's birthday, of course. ;)
I may post tomarrow... if I can get at the computer. (We are down to one, at this moment.) But if I can't, see you on Sunday!

Ps. I apologize for any spelling errors, for reasons unknown to me, SpellCheck is not working. =( Farethee well!

February 3, 2008

Shall We Dance?

The annual Daddy - Daughter ball! An event looked foreward to by all the girls I know all year long, and it's over in one evening. *sigh* But it was, as always, worth the wait, and we enjoyed ourselves every delightful minute of it! I was especially privalaged to be allowed to do the "Grand Introductions" of the families there. (And I only messed up once or twice. *sighs with relief*) Of course, the main event was dancing (it was a ball!) with our father's, and with each other, if some other sibling and grabbed the honnor first. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here we have...

Of course, all the beautiful young ladies must have their hair done! They were all quite beautiful, thanks to a group of young ladies with a talent for doing hair-styles!

Never miss a photo op! I don't really remember if the ended that way, or they just posed for the camera...

How could I forget? Our lovely vocalist and guitarist! Both were quite talented, especially considering you couldn't even see the guitar!

Ah yes! The annual "Jewish Dance" presented by the fathers! It is hysterical every year! Complete with twirling handkechiefs in the air, kicking as high as they can go... you get the picture!

Reconstruction

In the year 1865, the Civil War ended, and the Reconstruction period.... hold on a minute. Oh, not that reconstruction. This reconstruction was not of a country, but of a dress. Mea culpa. (Guys, this is about sewing. =)

Yes, I did my first remaking of a dress! My mom (for some reason) still had the dress she wore as a bridesmaid in my aunts wedding. I've been wanting to wear it for sometime now, but this is the first year it actually 'fit'. The old top was too low, so I ripped it off and made a whole new one. It looks very nice, if I do say so myself. It was amazing that we were able to find material that matched so well! You can hardly tell the difference, other than the new one being more blue than the old one, and oh yes, the very raised neckline. Pictures anyone?



This is what the old top looked like. Beautiful, but just not modest. The photo directly below this text is after I ripped it off. Believe me, it requires courage to rip apart something that elegant!

And here is the finished top! I know, it is rather difficult to see, but in the next post about the event that I wore it for, it might be easier for you fellow sewers to see it. So moving on....

February 2, 2008

Cousins with an Outlaw: Part 2

Outside of the palace, Anne ran with the boys as fast she could. “Anne where are we going?” asked Phillip.
“John’s house,” she panted. “Come on keep, running.”
“Will John’s father go get Robin Hood?” James wanted to know.
Surprised, Anne stop. “Why, what ever made you ask that?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” shrugged the little boy, continuing to walk on. “Just thought may be he could help Will out. Isn't that what he does, help people like us out?”
“Why James,” cried Anne excitedly, “You’ve just given me an idea. Hurry! We must hurry!”

Back inside the Great Hall, Will and John were beginning to get tired. “Must – find – someplace – to – rest,” gasped John.
Will nodded. “We’ll fight our way to the tower,” he said, indicating which one with a jerk of his head. “Ready? Go!” Sword blades whirling, the two fought furiously to the gatehouse. Thrusting his blade into a guard, Will ran across the courtyard, only to find that John was not with him. Without hesitation he whipped around and ran back. Ten men running out of the hall nearly saw him as he ran. Dodging behind the door, he avoided them as they ran past, slipping into the hall when they were past.

As he tried to catch sight of John, he did not notice the solider behind him until a heavy sword handle crashed down onto his head. The vision swirled in front of his eyes as he tumbled to the floor, trying to keep hold of his sword. Instinctively rolling away, he narrowly avoided being chopped in half. Shaking his head, his eyes refocused as he pulled himself up.

Jumping back into action, Will suddenly thought of an idea. Fighting vigorously, he forced his way through to where the Sheriff was still hiding beneath the table. Grabbing his luxurious velvet coat, he hauled the tiny man up on to the table. Pressing his blade against the frightened man’s throat he roared, “If anyone moves, this man dies.”

All fighting ceased and the men, who suddenly realized they were fighting each other, stared up at Will. He scanned the hall anxiously for his friend. Out of nowhere, John landed nimbly beside him, grinning. “Where did you come from?” Will gasped in astonishment.
John pointed up to a balcony above them. “When it looked like I would not make it out the door, I managed to swing up there without anyone noticing me. Then I had a wonderful time watching them all kill each other.”

Will shook his head admiringly. Unexpectedly lunging forward, he grabbed hold of the Sheriff who had tried the same trick as Will. “Thought you could get away, aye?” he asked, imitating the Sheriff’s manner. “Well now, if ye will sit down here, that would be greatly appreciated.”
“What do ye want?” growled the Sheriff.

“What I asked for before,” replied Will amiably. “More time in order to get the money I need to pay the taxes. Also,” he added, “more time for anyone else who is unable to pay at this moment. After all, our dear Prince John will not get all of his money if the debtors are rotting away in prison.”

The Sheriff glared at Will, “And what will happen if I do not agree?”
“Well now, my dear Sheriff,” Will said thoughtfully as he pressed his blade harder. “We might just have to borrow money off of you to pay the taxes.”
“All right, all right, I agree!” choked the Sheriff.
“Good, I am glad you do!” smiled Will taking his sword away from the Sheriff’s neck.
At that moment, a large group of men clothed in green dashed into the hall. When they saw that there was no fighting going on, they stopped short and one man, obviously the leader stepped forward.

“We were told that an honest peasant was in need of our aid, for he was under assault from the Sheriff’s guards,” he said, taking in the scene. “However, I see there is no need now.” He looked up at Will, “Are you he whom we were sent to assist?”

“That must be,” Will replied, “But I do not know who could have told you.”
“A young girl of about twelve years found us,” the man answered, “and asked that we make haste to the Sheriff’s palace to help her brother who was in need of our aid.”
“Why, that must have been Anne,” John put in looking at Will.
“Yes,” he agreed.

“I thank you for your aid,” Will said turning to the man, “but as you can see, we are in need no longer. I have gotten what I want from our dear Sheriff here, and now I will go home.”
“Two brave young men you must be,” the green clad man bowed low. “Pray, what are your names.”

“This is my good friend, John Miller,” Will nodded his head in his friends direction. “I am William Locksley.”
“William Locksley?” repeated the man glancing sharply at him. “Was your grandfather by any chance Sir Edward of Locksley?”

“Why yes,” answered Will. “But our family fell on hard times, and now we are peasants.”
“My dear boy,” said the man offering his hand to Will, “My name is Robin Hood, once Sir Robin of Locksley. Sir Edward was my uncle. Your father was my cousin, though he was much older than me. Very glad to meet you!”

Will shook the outlaw’s hand joyfully. “Why, I never knew we were related!” he cried. “I knew you used to be Sir Robin of Locksley, but I never connected the names.”
Robin Hood placed a hand on Will’s back, “My boy, you, your sister and what ever other siblings you might have must come and live with us in Sherwood Forest.”
William shook his head, “Thank you cousin, but I think all of us would wish to stay in our little house where we have always lived. We will visit you of course.”

“By all means, do!” exclaimed Robin Hood as he, Will, John and the Merry Men walked towards the door. At the door, Will turned around and looked back at the Sheriff.
“Oh by the way, my dear Sheriff,” he called, “you had best not try arresting me for being cousins with an outlaw.” Will grinned mischievously. “I might have to fight you again if you do, and you would not want that now would you?” Laughing heartily, the group walked out into the sunshine, leaving the Sheriff sulking in his chair.