I guess while I'm at it, I'll just include all the contests coming up... (can you tell I like FREE stuff?)
1. Two readers can win a subscription to Take Out: Family Faith on the Go from Our Sunday Visitor. Go on over to Frugal Catholic Mommy to enter!
Simplify family life with the help of your Catholic Faith. Part magazine, part newsletter, Take Out: Family Faith on the Go, is a brand new, one-of-a-kind combination activity guide and support tool designed and written for busy families. This 8-page, monthly mini-magazine offers insightful, creative solutions to real life issues and interesting, fun ideas for living your faith. Start making new family connections with a positive approach today!
2. Some lucky winner gets a Dogma Dogs CD at this third giveaway at Frugal Catholic Mommy!
3. Get a $10 gift certificate to Natural Momma to buy the natural beauty and personal care products of your choice. Some of their products sound simply wonderful! Head to Kitchen Stewardship to enter to win!
4. You can also win a free Nursing Bracelet for you or as a gift from OrganicMamas at Kitchen Stewardship! Now, this is a really great idea, and I wish I had one when mine were nursing!
I'm done for tonight! Best of luck!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Book Lovers - Go Comment!
There is a giveaway for four books at Frugal Catholic Mommy, and tonight I only see 26 comments. The deadline is Sunday, so go over and leave a comment! The books are:
"Courageous Virtue (by Stacy Mitch) provides a great service to every woman seeking to discover the path to holiness and growth, sanctity and surrender. Through well-chosen Scripture passages ans poignant questions for reflection, Stacy Mitch encourages a deeper understanding of the Christian life couple with the rich tradition of the Catholic faith. Women who engage in this Bible study will find their time well spent in the pursuit of the ultimate goal--relationship with Jesus Christ" --Johnette Benkovic
"Courageous Love (by Stacy Mitch) guides women through Scripture and the Catechism in an exploration of who God has called us to be. What a refreshing and thought-provoking resource for individual or group study! Highly recommended." --Kimberly Hahn
Courageous Women: A Study on the Heroines of Biblical History by Stacy Mitch is an example is worth a thousand words. Using the stories of Sarah, Esther, Judith, the Blessed Mother, and other heroines of Scripture, Stacy Mitch helps her readers see how they can follow these examples in their daily lives.
The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood (by Fr. Thomas Acklin, OSB) "...A true understanding and appreciation of the unchanging heart of the priesthood will attract priestly vocations, help priestly renewal, and ultimately invigorate the Church." --Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Harrisburg, PA
"Courageous Virtue (by Stacy Mitch) provides a great service to every woman seeking to discover the path to holiness and growth, sanctity and surrender. Through well-chosen Scripture passages ans poignant questions for reflection, Stacy Mitch encourages a deeper understanding of the Christian life couple with the rich tradition of the Catholic faith. Women who engage in this Bible study will find their time well spent in the pursuit of the ultimate goal--relationship with Jesus Christ" --Johnette Benkovic
"Courageous Love (by Stacy Mitch) guides women through Scripture and the Catechism in an exploration of who God has called us to be. What a refreshing and thought-provoking resource for individual or group study! Highly recommended." --Kimberly Hahn
Courageous Women: A Study on the Heroines of Biblical History by Stacy Mitch is an example is worth a thousand words. Using the stories of Sarah, Esther, Judith, the Blessed Mother, and other heroines of Scripture, Stacy Mitch helps her readers see how they can follow these examples in their daily lives.
The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood (by Fr. Thomas Acklin, OSB) "...A true understanding and appreciation of the unchanging heart of the priesthood will attract priestly vocations, help priestly renewal, and ultimately invigorate the Church." --Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Harrisburg, PA
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009 ~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Note: These Sunday & Holy Day Gospel Reflections are written so that mothers may prepare for Holy Mass in advance either as a small group or individually (especially since we are so often necessarily distracted during Mass itself).
John 6:24-35
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
you are looking for me not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
So they said to him,
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him,
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Reflection
I'm posting a quoted reflection this week, partly because I have been neglecting these weekly reflections and want to get back on track and partly because at Mass today, I was reminded of this email forward that I rapidly scanned a few days ago.
Why Go To Church?
A church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
The above is written in a context that Protestants can understand, but as Catholics, think about the deeper significance of being fed by the Eucharist, the living, breathing, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus is the Bread of Life. The Sunday Gospels are currently focusing on this idea. Just as in last week's feeding of the five thousand, Jesus fed the multitude, He still feeds us with His living bread and living water, His very Self in the Eucharist.
He also feeds us in the time we spend with Him, in prayer, with Scripture. Am I feeling spiritually dead or spiritually alive? Where am I seeking nourishment? The Lord will provide the bread we need if we but ask.
Lord, help me to set aside that essential time with you to nourish my spiritual life. Give me the grace to make the sacrifices necessary to spend quiet time with you, and bless me with the ability to call you to mind throughout the rhythm of my days. Feed me with your presence in my soul.
John 6:24-35
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
you are looking for me not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
So they said to him,
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:
He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him,
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Reflection
I'm posting a quoted reflection this week, partly because I have been neglecting these weekly reflections and want to get back on track and partly because at Mass today, I was reminded of this email forward that I rapidly scanned a few days ago.
Why Go To Church?
A church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
The above is written in a context that Protestants can understand, but as Catholics, think about the deeper significance of being fed by the Eucharist, the living, breathing, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus is the Bread of Life. The Sunday Gospels are currently focusing on this idea. Just as in last week's feeding of the five thousand, Jesus fed the multitude, He still feeds us with His living bread and living water, His very Self in the Eucharist.
He also feeds us in the time we spend with Him, in prayer, with Scripture. Am I feeling spiritually dead or spiritually alive? Where am I seeking nourishment? The Lord will provide the bread we need if we but ask.
Lord, help me to set aside that essential time with you to nourish my spiritual life. Give me the grace to make the sacrifices necessary to spend quiet time with you, and bless me with the ability to call you to mind throughout the rhythm of my days. Feed me with your presence in my soul.
Friday, July 31, 2009
I Caught the Summer Bug...Where Will He Land Next?
Yes, after reading such glorious successes as Jessica's and seeing such beautiful rooms as Jen's and hearing about my dear friend MP moving her schoolroom...and listening to Professor Joseph Pearce eloquently urge us to teach our children the value of beauty at the Tampa IHM Homeschool Conference, I caught the summer reorganize-repurpose bug (even Elizabeth caught it)! Consequently, I spent last week, after recovering from being away, coming up with a master plan. My goal was to move my learning space downstairs while creating the least amount of work for my dear husband. I thought carefully how to approach the topic, prayed about my motivation, and cautiously approached him last Friday.
He grimaced. His forehead wrinkled in strange ways. He was silent, reflective, thoughtful. Then, choosing his words carefully, he says, "What do you think about...?" and gave me an alternate plan that, to my surprise, involved moving even more heavy furniture and changing more than just the two rooms I had planned. I admitted I had not considered such options, because my goal was to make as little work as possible for him. Now, I needed more time to ponder my options. He said, again to my surprise, that there were no limitations and encouraged me to think completely out of the box. Hmmm...
Saturday, we kept brainstorming together, bouncing ideas back and forth, while my husband added more cinder-block and 2x8 shelving to our garage for our book business. We would stand in a room together and stare for silent minutes and then share a new idea. By Sunday, we had a plan we both thought could work. I prayed about it, knowing it would accomplish some of my desires for our use of space - (1) I wanted the learning room downstairs near a couch. (2) I wanted all electronics out of our bedroom. (3) I wanted a designated playroom space. (4) I wanted a space where my husband could work on his laptop in the same room as my desk and computer.
We began moving furniture Sunday evening, because we were so excited to get started, and we moved things each evening while I cleared bookshelves and closets each day. By Wednesday, the furniture was all moved. I spent Thursday putting all our stuff back on shelves and organizing closets. Phew! (And, I must add, we both commented once the large furniture was all moved on how odd it was that we did not argue during the planning or moving stages - praise God!)
Here is how we originally used our spaces:
Kitchen - eating table and chairs, play kitchen, easel, butcher-block cart
Living room - two couches, recliner, TV armoire, bookcase, two end tables
Playroom - children's table and chairs, toy chest, two bookcases, dollhouse, rocking horse
Master bedroom - bed and sidetables, laundry bins, large desk with laptop, small bookcase
Spare bedroom - small desk with computer, filing cabinet, two bookcases, printer stand, learning table and chairs, wire shelf in closet
***The children's bedroom did not change at all; we seriously considered switching it with the spare bedroom, but I was reluctant to move happy children who hate change!
Here is what they became:
Kitchen - eating table and chairs, play kitchen, dollhouse, butcher block cart
Living room - one couch, two bookcases, learning table and chairs, easel, printer stand repurposed as art center, two end tables (we also repurposed a wire cart from my closet as a craft cart and hid it in the coat closet)
Playroom - children's table and chairs, toy chest, wire shelf (which I will be covering with a fabric curtain), rocking horse, small bookcase (which is actually between the playroom and living room and perfect to use as a mantel for our liturgical year celebrations)
Master bedroom - bed and sidetables, three bookcases, recliner (we hid the laundry bins in the bathroom & closet)
Spare bedroom - large desk with computer, small desk with printers (we have three), filing cabinet, one couch, TV armoire
I love my home!!! We had hoped to buy a house this year, but we need at least another year of renting before we can afford that. The disappointment in renewing the lease on our townhome definitely prompted some of these changes, but more than that, I did not enjoy certain spaces in my home. And, as you know, a happy mom makes a happy home!
Now that it is mostly organized (some books are still not on the right bookcases and one closet needs a bit of work), I cannot wait to enjoy it! We will gradually begin our new school year next week, so I will let you know how it goes! I am sure the little interior decorating touches will take some time, as I am worn out from all the rearranging, but I already enjoy every room in its repurposed form!
***Maybe I will get around to adding photos, but don't count on it soon. The furniture is in place and things are functional but not yet picture-ready!
He grimaced. His forehead wrinkled in strange ways. He was silent, reflective, thoughtful. Then, choosing his words carefully, he says, "What do you think about...?" and gave me an alternate plan that, to my surprise, involved moving even more heavy furniture and changing more than just the two rooms I had planned. I admitted I had not considered such options, because my goal was to make as little work as possible for him. Now, I needed more time to ponder my options. He said, again to my surprise, that there were no limitations and encouraged me to think completely out of the box. Hmmm...
Saturday, we kept brainstorming together, bouncing ideas back and forth, while my husband added more cinder-block and 2x8 shelving to our garage for our book business. We would stand in a room together and stare for silent minutes and then share a new idea. By Sunday, we had a plan we both thought could work. I prayed about it, knowing it would accomplish some of my desires for our use of space - (1) I wanted the learning room downstairs near a couch. (2) I wanted all electronics out of our bedroom. (3) I wanted a designated playroom space. (4) I wanted a space where my husband could work on his laptop in the same room as my desk and computer.
We began moving furniture Sunday evening, because we were so excited to get started, and we moved things each evening while I cleared bookshelves and closets each day. By Wednesday, the furniture was all moved. I spent Thursday putting all our stuff back on shelves and organizing closets. Phew! (And, I must add, we both commented once the large furniture was all moved on how odd it was that we did not argue during the planning or moving stages - praise God!)
Here is how we originally used our spaces:
Kitchen - eating table and chairs, play kitchen, easel, butcher-block cart
Living room - two couches, recliner, TV armoire, bookcase, two end tables
Playroom - children's table and chairs, toy chest, two bookcases, dollhouse, rocking horse
Master bedroom - bed and sidetables, laundry bins, large desk with laptop, small bookcase
Spare bedroom - small desk with computer, filing cabinet, two bookcases, printer stand, learning table and chairs, wire shelf in closet
***The children's bedroom did not change at all; we seriously considered switching it with the spare bedroom, but I was reluctant to move happy children who hate change!
Here is what they became:
Kitchen - eating table and chairs, play kitchen, dollhouse, butcher block cart
Living room - one couch, two bookcases, learning table and chairs, easel, printer stand repurposed as art center, two end tables (we also repurposed a wire cart from my closet as a craft cart and hid it in the coat closet)
Playroom - children's table and chairs, toy chest, wire shelf (which I will be covering with a fabric curtain), rocking horse, small bookcase (which is actually between the playroom and living room and perfect to use as a mantel for our liturgical year celebrations)
Master bedroom - bed and sidetables, three bookcases, recliner (we hid the laundry bins in the bathroom & closet)
Spare bedroom - large desk with computer, small desk with printers (we have three), filing cabinet, one couch, TV armoire
I love my home!!! We had hoped to buy a house this year, but we need at least another year of renting before we can afford that. The disappointment in renewing the lease on our townhome definitely prompted some of these changes, but more than that, I did not enjoy certain spaces in my home. And, as you know, a happy mom makes a happy home!
Now that it is mostly organized (some books are still not on the right bookcases and one closet needs a bit of work), I cannot wait to enjoy it! We will gradually begin our new school year next week, so I will let you know how it goes! I am sure the little interior decorating touches will take some time, as I am worn out from all the rearranging, but I already enjoy every room in its repurposed form!
***Maybe I will get around to adding photos, but don't count on it soon. The furniture is in place and things are functional but not yet picture-ready!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Attention All Super-Busy Homeschooling Moms!
So much going on over here, little time to blog - caught the bug going around and rearranged the entire house, switching rooms to accommodate moving our lessons downstairs, still living in piles of stuff that needs to be organized! I had to take time to share, though...
I am SO excited that I have been asked to co-lead a new online interactive homeschool mom Bible study --- Moms' Connections! You know how hard it is to get out of the house for a moms' group, prayer group, parish class, or Bible study to feed your soul, right?! Well, this one is designed to meet the needs of super-busy homeschooling moms!
Read more below...sign up now...and please send the link to this blog post to EVERY homeschool mom/group you know! (and if you need more information before joining, attend our free informational webinar on August 13th)
```````````````````````````````````````````
Moms' Connections: Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage by Kimberly Hahn (Proverbs 31: 10-12)
Is it a challenge for you to make it to your local Bible study or prayer group? Attend a mother’s study group in the comfort of your home! Join other homeschooling mothers for an online interactive webinar twice a month as we prayerfully reflect on and discuss a book selection designed to inspire us and challenge us in our vocations. Emily Crawford and Jenny Bales will be co-leading this exciting new group!
This fall’s selection is Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage by Kimberly Hahn. This is the first in her series of Bible studies based on Proverbs 31. This particular book focuses specifically on verses 10-12. Her audio series on Proverbs 31, More Precious Than Jewels: How to Be a Godly Wife and Mother, has been extremely popular among Catholic and all Christian mothers for well over a decade! Our discussions on this book will be united by our common vocation as homeschooling mothers. In our busy days as mothers and teachers of our children, sometimes our husbands can be overlooked or unappreciated. It is our hope that this study group will inspire each of us to place a new priority on our marriage, giving our children one of the most valuable lessons we can, as we witness the beauty of a holy marriage.
Every other Thursday evening, September 3 through November 12, we will gather in prayer to discuss two chapters of the book, which mothers are asked to read before each meeting. The discussion questions at the back of the book will provide structure for our conversations. Mothers are asked to participate both in the online chat and audio components of the technology, so it is requested that each mother have a headset with microphone. A donation of $10.00 to a Scholarship Fund sponsored by Homeschool Connections will ensure committed participation by the mothers throughout the sessions. (This donation will be donated to a scholarship fund that will benefit Catholic homeschool students attending Catholic universities. Due to services rendered this is not tax deductible.)
You can sign up below for the study group now and/or sign up to attend a free informational Meet & Greet Webinar on Thursday, August 13 at 8:30PM ET to learn more about the technology and the group.
Register for Meet & Greet Webinar
Register for Bible Study for Homeschool Moms
I am SO excited that I have been asked to co-lead a new online interactive homeschool mom Bible study --- Moms' Connections! You know how hard it is to get out of the house for a moms' group, prayer group, parish class, or Bible study to feed your soul, right?! Well, this one is designed to meet the needs of super-busy homeschooling moms!
Read more below...sign up now...and please send the link to this blog post to EVERY homeschool mom/group you know! (and if you need more information before joining, attend our free informational webinar on August 13th)
```````````````````````````````````````````
Moms' Connections: Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage by Kimberly Hahn (Proverbs 31: 10-12)
Is it a challenge for you to make it to your local Bible study or prayer group? Attend a mother’s study group in the comfort of your home! Join other homeschooling mothers for an online interactive webinar twice a month as we prayerfully reflect on and discuss a book selection designed to inspire us and challenge us in our vocations. Emily Crawford and Jenny Bales will be co-leading this exciting new group!
This fall’s selection is Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage by Kimberly Hahn. This is the first in her series of Bible studies based on Proverbs 31. This particular book focuses specifically on verses 10-12. Her audio series on Proverbs 31, More Precious Than Jewels: How to Be a Godly Wife and Mother, has been extremely popular among Catholic and all Christian mothers for well over a decade! Our discussions on this book will be united by our common vocation as homeschooling mothers. In our busy days as mothers and teachers of our children, sometimes our husbands can be overlooked or unappreciated. It is our hope that this study group will inspire each of us to place a new priority on our marriage, giving our children one of the most valuable lessons we can, as we witness the beauty of a holy marriage.
Every other Thursday evening, September 3 through November 12, we will gather in prayer to discuss two chapters of the book, which mothers are asked to read before each meeting. The discussion questions at the back of the book will provide structure for our conversations. Mothers are asked to participate both in the online chat and audio components of the technology, so it is requested that each mother have a headset with microphone. A donation of $10.00 to a Scholarship Fund sponsored by Homeschool Connections will ensure committed participation by the mothers throughout the sessions. (This donation will be donated to a scholarship fund that will benefit Catholic homeschool students attending Catholic universities. Due to services rendered this is not tax deductible.)
You can sign up below for the study group now and/or sign up to attend a free informational Meet & Greet Webinar on Thursday, August 13 at 8:30PM ET to learn more about the technology and the group.
Register for Meet & Greet Webinar
Register for Bible Study for Homeschool Moms
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