I'm about two weeks behind in posting this, so I apologize for the somewhat old news articles, but that's just the way things have been for me lately. So here we go ...
Every day I check my bloglines account to see what blogs have been updated and check my news and weather feeds. During the last week of January I watched my news feed to see if CNN (the only major news feed I currently subscribe to) would post anything about the March for Life on January 22. On that day I happened to see an article titled: Amid Protests, Obama backs 'right to choose'. This article mentioned briefly that there was a "protest" in D.C. that day of anti-abortion proponents, but focused instead on our new President's support for abortion. Actually, in skimming through the article real quick just now, I don't think the article even calls the "protest" the March for Life. Interesting ...
As a side note: have you ever noticed that CNN and other major media outlets never use the term pro-life. It's always anti-abortion and pro-choice. Why not pro-life? Maybe it's because if they used pro-life they may have to use the opposite term for the opposing side, i.e. anti-life? Or pro-death? I guess that makes the other side too uncomfortable.
So, did you know that about 200,000 people were in D.C. for the March for Life. Maybe more. Okay, it isn't as many as were there for the inauguration just two days earlier, but still ... 200,000 people! That's' a lot! AND there were actually other marches around the country that same day. Not everyone can go to D.C. but we can still stand up for life where we are.
Second news article that caught my attention was the very next day. On Friday, the day after the March for Life, the President reversed the Mexico City Policy. This allows the U.S. to provide funding to clinics in other countries who provide abortions. So now our tax money is helping to provide abortions not only in this country but around the world.
And we're getting ready to borrow around $800 billion in order to help stimulate our economy? Yes, borrow!! Do you really think the U.S. has that kind of money laying around; we've had a national deficit since ... well, almost forever! That's something to think about.
Speaking of the so-called stimulus bill, thank goodness Nancy Pelosi didn't get her money in there for contraception. Did anyone see or read part of her interview with George Stephanopoulos which also happened about the same time that all this other stuff was going on? I don't have a link available on this one (sorry) but I read part of her interview with him where he asks her how contraception will stimulate the economy. Apparently, by pushing more contraception on all of us citizens, we can have less children and thus less money needs to go towards health care for us and for our children and less funding is needed for educating those children, because they won't be here.
I thought Pelosi was Catholic?? Thankfully that aspect of the stimulus bill was eliminated. Let's hope her priest or bishop has a few words with her.
But where is the irony in all this? Well, two things:
First of all in regard to Pelosi's initial contraception proposal. I guess it never occurred to her that in the long run, the children who she is trying to get us not to have will need clothes and food and other essentials. That means parents (consumers) have to purchase those things. As those children get older they will need other things. And yes, they will need health care and their education. But then they will become consumers themselves. It's definitely something to think about.
Second, and the real reason for me writing this, on Monday January 26 (four days after the March for Life and three days after Pres. Obama reversed the "Mexico City Policy") I found this article: Worker's Urged: Go Home and Multiply.
So, in Japan, the birthrate is currently at 1.34, meaning they are not even replacing their population. You need to have at least a 2.0 to replace the population. So some companies are urging their workers to go home and try having more kids. The country needs more children!!
So while many of us here in the U.S. fight to get rid of abortion and a large percentage of the population here is either ambivalent or thinks abortion is a good thing for women, Japan is beginning to see a problem from the lack of children. Do we see the irony?? By the way, do you know what the U.S. birthrate currently is? Well, I don't have the exact figure but it isn't much above the 2.0. Something like 2.3. Oh, and most of Europe is at or below 2.0 as well.
We have people in our government who think that we need contraception to help reduce our population to help save costs, which is kind of ironic in and of itself. And with declining birthrates all over the world, we're losing consumers!! No wonder the economy is failing.
It really is sad how little life is valued in this country. I hope the articles above and my thoughts have given you some food for thought yourselves.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Horrible News Story
Someone I know posted this new story on Facebook and I was so horrified after reading it that I thought it was important to alert others to the horrors of abortion.
Many people I know are also as horrified by the act of abortion as I am. Others may be ambivalent about it. Read this article and see just how brutal a practice this is. Go now and read about the pending lawsuit against an aboriton clinic in Florida:
Florida Clinic Botched Abortion, Threw Out Live Baby.
The baby in this case was 23 weeks along. My baby died after 22 weeks and received a proper funeral and burial. Any child that dies in the womb or after deserves the same, not to be thrown out like a piece of trash.
Please pray for all mothers and all the unborn.
Many people I know are also as horrified by the act of abortion as I am. Others may be ambivalent about it. Read this article and see just how brutal a practice this is. Go now and read about the pending lawsuit against an aboriton clinic in Florida:
Florida Clinic Botched Abortion, Threw Out Live Baby.
The baby in this case was 23 weeks along. My baby died after 22 weeks and received a proper funeral and burial. Any child that dies in the womb or after deserves the same, not to be thrown out like a piece of trash.
Please pray for all mothers and all the unborn.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Newsweek article on Stillbirth
A friend of mine posted this article to her Facebook page. It struck me immediately due to my recent experience with stillbirth. The focus in the article is on the organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. The group takes photographs for free of parents and their children. The photos provide a wonderful remembrance of the child.
We were fortunate that there are some volunteer photographers from this group in our area and our hospital called one of them to come in when we lost our son. I haven't received the pictures yet, but I am looking forward to seeing my baby again once I do.
I hope no one I know ever has to go through this. It is one of the worst feelings in the world to be anticipating the birth of your child only to lose him too early. But I encourage everyone to read the article and hear the stories of other women who have lost a child. One day I'll be able to write more about my own story, just not ready quite yet.
Here's the link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/182572/page/1
We were fortunate that there are some volunteer photographers from this group in our area and our hospital called one of them to come in when we lost our son. I haven't received the pictures yet, but I am looking forward to seeing my baby again once I do.
I hope no one I know ever has to go through this. It is one of the worst feelings in the world to be anticipating the birth of your child only to lose him too early. But I encourage everyone to read the article and hear the stories of other women who have lost a child. One day I'll be able to write more about my own story, just not ready quite yet.
Here's the link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/182572/page/1
25 Randon Things Redux
This "25 Randon Things About Me" post is circulating over Facebook. I posted this last week on there but decided that my friends not on Facebook might like to see it as well. On FB you also had to tag 25 people who then had to post a list of 25 random things about themselves on there FB page and tag 25 more people. I've already done that so won't be doing it again. If you are reading this and would like to participate, post your 25 things on your blog and then leave a comment here to let me know so I can check it out.
(For those reading this on Facebook who might be confused why I'm posting this again, it's because all my blog posts are automatically posted to FB as well. So unfortunatley this list will be on FB twice.)
1. My favorite person in the world is my husband. I love him so much and the trials in our marriage so far have only stregthened that love.
2. I have two children who are now in heaven. Casey Marie was lost to miscarriage on March 31, 2008. We lost Zachary Thomas at 22 weeks on January 11, 2009. They are now my little saints!
3. I have always wanted to be a writer, but have never written anything I like. I think I have good ideas, but as a former professor once told me, I'm not a wordsmith! I think I need a new medium and am starting to consider the theater.
4. I have performed as a soloist in a concert in Italy!! It was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience and will never happen again.
5. I also sang in a choir on the same Italy trip (see above) during a daily mass at the Vatican (no the Pope was not presiding). By the way, I'm a horrible singer and they insisted I sing with them anyway. It was a fantastic experience.
6. I've been out of the country twice in my life: Italy in 2004 and Vancouver, Canada in 2005.
7. My favorite animated Disney movie is Sleeping Beauty! You can't beat any of the classics.
8. I have been involved in theater only three times: performed in Camelot in HS (pit orchestra), worked lights and curtain once for some other small production, and performed in Swing Time Canteen several years ago here in Lexington. Swing Time was fun, I was a musician but we were on stage, so I had to be in "character" still; it was an interesting experience. But despite my small experience, I love attending theater and now know several local actors!
9. I have lived in 6 states: Massachusetts (twice), Maryland, New York, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky.
10. I never expected to be in KY longer than five years and never thought I would be in librarianship as a long-term career. It was only supposed to be a step toward moving on to a PhD program and a career as a musicology professor one day.
11. I do not regret not moving on to my PhD. I like being a librarian, but only as long as I can be a MUSIC librarian.
12. I am pro-life. I've lost two children and I can't fathom how anyone could think that the life of another individual can be considered simply a "choice." Think about it!!
13. I am currently the principle clarinetist in the Central Kentucky Concert Band, though I'm on a temporary hiatus since I have a professional conflict with the next concert, but it's come at a good time.
14. I have difficulty playing music when going through tough times. Like right now. I also can't sing in church, I start crying.
15. I love being Catholic! I love the tradition, the Catechism, the Eucharist, the Mass, the clear apostolic tradition from St. Peter all the way to Benedict XVI, and so much more!
16. My confirmation name is Mary, but at the time I did not pick it for any particular Saint Mary. However, I have found myself feeling a closeness more and more to the Virgin Mary and am starting to consider her my patron saint.
17. My favorite foods are Italian and seafood. Any pasta with a red sauce is awesome. Favorite seafoods are salmon, shrimp, and scallops.
18. I hate cooking. I tell my husband that I married him because he loves to cook.
19. I really, really want to learn to knit. I've taught myself a little, but really need to take a class/lessons.
20. I'm currently off from work recovering from my last pregnancy and stillbirth. I'm scared to death of trying to go back to work and a "normal" life. I'm not sure what my normal life is any more.
21. My favorite artist is Mary Cassatt. I've never been able to name a favorite composer, so don't ask!
22. I love football, especially college: Go cocks! Since getting married I don't watch nearly as much football as I used to. But hey, he does cook!!
23. I am incredibly shy. Many people I have met since moving to KY would disagree, but if you've known me longer than that, this is not a surprise.
24. I love HGTV!! I actually have a secret desire to be a home stager!!
25. I love chocolate and can't believe I waited until #25 to remember to add that in!! My favorite is dark chocolate, especially with mint. York Peppermint patties are my weakness!!
(For those reading this on Facebook who might be confused why I'm posting this again, it's because all my blog posts are automatically posted to FB as well. So unfortunatley this list will be on FB twice.)
1. My favorite person in the world is my husband. I love him so much and the trials in our marriage so far have only stregthened that love.
2. I have two children who are now in heaven. Casey Marie was lost to miscarriage on March 31, 2008. We lost Zachary Thomas at 22 weeks on January 11, 2009. They are now my little saints!
3. I have always wanted to be a writer, but have never written anything I like. I think I have good ideas, but as a former professor once told me, I'm not a wordsmith! I think I need a new medium and am starting to consider the theater.
4. I have performed as a soloist in a concert in Italy!! It was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience and will never happen again.
5. I also sang in a choir on the same Italy trip (see above) during a daily mass at the Vatican (no the Pope was not presiding). By the way, I'm a horrible singer and they insisted I sing with them anyway. It was a fantastic experience.
6. I've been out of the country twice in my life: Italy in 2004 and Vancouver, Canada in 2005.
7. My favorite animated Disney movie is Sleeping Beauty! You can't beat any of the classics.
8. I have been involved in theater only three times: performed in Camelot in HS (pit orchestra), worked lights and curtain once for some other small production, and performed in Swing Time Canteen several years ago here in Lexington. Swing Time was fun, I was a musician but we were on stage, so I had to be in "character" still; it was an interesting experience. But despite my small experience, I love attending theater and now know several local actors!
9. I have lived in 6 states: Massachusetts (twice), Maryland, New York, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky.
10. I never expected to be in KY longer than five years and never thought I would be in librarianship as a long-term career. It was only supposed to be a step toward moving on to a PhD program and a career as a musicology professor one day.
11. I do not regret not moving on to my PhD. I like being a librarian, but only as long as I can be a MUSIC librarian.
12. I am pro-life. I've lost two children and I can't fathom how anyone could think that the life of another individual can be considered simply a "choice." Think about it!!
13. I am currently the principle clarinetist in the Central Kentucky Concert Band, though I'm on a temporary hiatus since I have a professional conflict with the next concert, but it's come at a good time.
14. I have difficulty playing music when going through tough times. Like right now. I also can't sing in church, I start crying.
15. I love being Catholic! I love the tradition, the Catechism, the Eucharist, the Mass, the clear apostolic tradition from St. Peter all the way to Benedict XVI, and so much more!
16. My confirmation name is Mary, but at the time I did not pick it for any particular Saint Mary. However, I have found myself feeling a closeness more and more to the Virgin Mary and am starting to consider her my patron saint.
17. My favorite foods are Italian and seafood. Any pasta with a red sauce is awesome. Favorite seafoods are salmon, shrimp, and scallops.
18. I hate cooking. I tell my husband that I married him because he loves to cook.
19. I really, really want to learn to knit. I've taught myself a little, but really need to take a class/lessons.
20. I'm currently off from work recovering from my last pregnancy and stillbirth. I'm scared to death of trying to go back to work and a "normal" life. I'm not sure what my normal life is any more.
21. My favorite artist is Mary Cassatt. I've never been able to name a favorite composer, so don't ask!
22. I love football, especially college: Go cocks! Since getting married I don't watch nearly as much football as I used to. But hey, he does cook!!
23. I am incredibly shy. Many people I have met since moving to KY would disagree, but if you've known me longer than that, this is not a surprise.
24. I love HGTV!! I actually have a secret desire to be a home stager!!
25. I love chocolate and can't believe I waited until #25 to remember to add that in!! My favorite is dark chocolate, especially with mint. York Peppermint patties are my weakness!!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Beyond Today ...
Today in D.C. hundreds of thousands of people are marching down the street in support of life in the womb. Today is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision in 1973 that has resulted in somewhere between 48 and 50 million innocent children being murdered in the womb through no fault of their own. Millions of my generation gone, millions of the following generation (which my two youngest siblings are a part of) also gone. And millions more will be gone in future generations.
But being pro-life is about much more than fighting abortion. I found this post today that really speaks to how critical it is that we recognize the importance of life at all its stages. Check it out here: It Is More Than Abortion ... It Is About Life.
Please pray that life at all its stages from conception until natural death is protected.
But being pro-life is about much more than fighting abortion. I found this post today that really speaks to how critical it is that we recognize the importance of life at all its stages. Check it out here: It Is More Than Abortion ... It Is About Life.
Please pray that life at all its stages from conception until natural death is protected.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Remembrance of Zachary
A friend of mine shared her thoughts about our little Zachary's funeral on a Catholic blog that offers support for women dealing with infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and more. Her testimony to the importance of life was so moving to me as she put it into the context of the funeral we just had, I thought it worth sharing here as well.
Her post can be found on the blog The Apostolate of Hannah's Tear's. The direct link to her post is here: A tiny coffin, but a big witness.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the funeral. The presence of so many people there and all those who wanted to be there says a lot for the importance we all place on the dignity of human life at any stage, born or unborn. Everyone that was there or wanted to be there is a witness to the cause for life. Thank you all very much!!
Her post can be found on the blog The Apostolate of Hannah's Tear's. The direct link to her post is here: A tiny coffin, but a big witness.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the funeral. The presence of so many people there and all those who wanted to be there says a lot for the importance we all place on the dignity of human life at any stage, born or unborn. Everyone that was there or wanted to be there is a witness to the cause for life. Thank you all very much!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
National Sanctity of Human Life Day
Yesterday (Saturday) was the funeral for my little boy Zachary. He died before he was given the chance to be born. And like any life that ends, he left a hole in our hearts and in our lives. In another post at another time I may talk more about the loss of our son, Zachary Thomas. What I wanted to share with you now is the fact that his life deserved recognition and my husband and I are lucky enough to be part of a community who supports us in recognizing the dignity of all human life. So yesterday morning we celebrated Zachary's life with a funeral and a burial service surrounded by the love of family and friends both near and far.
That brings us to today, Sunday January 18. Only one day after saying goodbye to a life I carried for 22 weeks but never got to know, I learn that today was declared National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The proclamation begins:
My husband and I took some time out of our day today to attend a Vigil for Life in downtown Lexington. It was about 33 degrees and snowing the whole time we stood together outside the courthouse listening to people speak about the importance of protecting life from conception until natural death. It was cold, but it was uplifting. The work being done in our community and around the country in support of life is amazing. We prayed together, standing out in the elements, for our new administration that they too will recognize the dignity of all human life and will put an end to abortion in this country.
For me, it was difficult at times to stand there and listen to the speakers and pray for an end to abortion after just having lost my son. It occurred to me several times during that hour that many people have aborted babies who were as far along as I was with Zachary and definitely abortions have taken place at or later than when I lost Casey back in March of 2008. It saddens me to no end to think of all the children that have been lost all in the misguided notion of "choice." I didn't have a choice in my losses, I have to bear the unthinkable while others tell women in crisis pregnancies that it is only a blob of tissue they are carrying. I held my baby boy and I can testify to the fact that he was indeed a baby.
The emcee for today's event (an adoptive parent himself) said towards the end of the event that what we need is more education. We need to speak out for all those unborn children who can't speak for themselves. We need to affirm our country's promise made in the Declaration of Independence that all have the right to LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So through my blog, I hope that I can reach others and that my words here will educate those who read them in a better understanding of what life really is.
Thanks to all those who offered their support to my husband and I over this past, very difficult week. Thanks to all those who continue the pro-life work and who support others in pro-life ministry. Thanks to all who will be attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C. this coming Thursday (wish we could be there with you). And thanks to President Bush for declaring today National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
That brings us to today, Sunday January 18. Only one day after saying goodbye to a life I carried for 22 weeks but never got to know, I learn that today was declared National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The proclamation begins:
All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.
My husband and I took some time out of our day today to attend a Vigil for Life in downtown Lexington. It was about 33 degrees and snowing the whole time we stood together outside the courthouse listening to people speak about the importance of protecting life from conception until natural death. It was cold, but it was uplifting. The work being done in our community and around the country in support of life is amazing. We prayed together, standing out in the elements, for our new administration that they too will recognize the dignity of all human life and will put an end to abortion in this country.
For me, it was difficult at times to stand there and listen to the speakers and pray for an end to abortion after just having lost my son. It occurred to me several times during that hour that many people have aborted babies who were as far along as I was with Zachary and definitely abortions have taken place at or later than when I lost Casey back in March of 2008. It saddens me to no end to think of all the children that have been lost all in the misguided notion of "choice." I didn't have a choice in my losses, I have to bear the unthinkable while others tell women in crisis pregnancies that it is only a blob of tissue they are carrying. I held my baby boy and I can testify to the fact that he was indeed a baby.
The emcee for today's event (an adoptive parent himself) said towards the end of the event that what we need is more education. We need to speak out for all those unborn children who can't speak for themselves. We need to affirm our country's promise made in the Declaration of Independence that all have the right to LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So through my blog, I hope that I can reach others and that my words here will educate those who read them in a better understanding of what life really is.
Thanks to all those who offered their support to my husband and I over this past, very difficult week. Thanks to all those who continue the pro-life work and who support others in pro-life ministry. Thanks to all who will be attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C. this coming Thursday (wish we could be there with you). And thanks to President Bush for declaring today National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Blogging just to blog
I noticed that I haven't written anything on here since December 2, just over a month ago!! There is so much I could say, but that could turn into a jumble of ramblings. There are things happening with us that I could report on, but again, I feel that I'd just be everywhere. So instead, I thought I'd simply share some of the "life" we are experiencing right now.
But first I do have to share: Christmas here was good and I had a nice long vacation. We wrapped up the Christmas season with an Epiphany party this past weekend. Although technically the Christmas Season doesn't end until this coming Sunday we have now taken most of the decorations down. We left our nativity set up for the duration though, since the Wise Men only just arrived this past weekend. Didn't seem fair to take it down as soon as they got there.
Okay, so I had to put in a little of what we've been up to the past month. Moving on ...
I found out today that we are confirmed for the trip to Washington, D.C. in two weeks. We'll be driving up with another couple, following behind a van carrying about 8 others. There is also a bus going, but they are leaving at 9:30pm on January 20. The van and us will be leaving at 5am on the 21st. So we'll drive during the day and get to D.C. by that afternoon or so. Hopefully not too late! This trip should be very exciting and I'll definitely make a point of blogging about it when I get back. The basic itinerary will be a Mass at the National Basilica on Wednesday night (the same day we get there). I hear this is an awesome thing to be at with a procession that lasts about 30 minutes because of all the cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons in attendance. Should be very exciting. Then Thursday is the actual March for Life in the morning. I believe we are leaving to drive back to Lexington following the March. So for those friends in D.C. or in the area, I probably won't get a chance to visit with you. That is unless you come out for the March and help the hundreds of thousands of people there support Life!!
What actually happens at the March, I don't know, I've never been. I have seen pictures and some video clips people posted on You Tube and other video sites (I can't think of the Catholic one at the moment). I know there will be speakers and there is the march itself and who knows what else. It should be an exciting time!!
So that's our trip to D.C., in just a couple of weeks!! Can't wait. Oh, and to get us ready for it, there is a Vigil for Life here in Lexington on Sunday January 18. For anyone in the area who can make it, it's from 2-3pm that day at the new Courthouse downtown. There are a few speakers, Leo Brown is emcee, and they suggest bringing chairs and/or blankets with you.
And speaking of life, the life I am carrying seems to be doing well. In December we had our "big" ultrasound. It was so much fun watching them measure the head and look at the heart, and measure all the limbs and see the face. We got several pictures from the experience (posted on our picassa page and my FB page). And no, we did NOT find out the gender. Didn't plan to and didn't want to. We are looking forward to the surprise in May!! But everything is normal and looks good, that's all we were hoping for. I got to hear the heartbeat again at my appointment at the end of the month and it was nice and strong.
It seems that the last several days I might have started experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. Some of them seem quite strong, but now that I'm home from work and watching the clock I am realizing that they aren't lasting very long (10-20 seconds) and they are definitely irregular, sometimes 20 minutes apart, other times over an hour. So I did talk to the nurse today who works with my doctor and she recommended rest and possibly a visit to triage if I don't start feeling better in another day or so, mostly given my history (oen miscarriage and some bleeding earlier in this pregnancy). But overall, we think things are fine and this is probably nothing to worry about.
So if you think about it, please say a prayer for me and for baby. I wish I could feel the baby move around to know things are fine, but I still haven't felt him or her, so at the moment I am trusting that all is well; that's why we have faith, right? Next scheduled appointment isn't until Feb. 2, so please pray that I don't have to move it up for any reason!!
Thanks for all your prayers!! We'll be thinking about life in so many ways over this next month. Please pray for all those attending the March for Life, for all those women contemplating abortion, that they will choose life, for the unborn who have lost their lives in the name of "choice," and for me and the many, many others who are expecting, that the lives we carry will be kept safe and be born healthy!!
St. Gerard, pray for us! St. Philomena, pray for us! St. Anne, pray for us! Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all, pray for us!!
But first I do have to share: Christmas here was good and I had a nice long vacation. We wrapped up the Christmas season with an Epiphany party this past weekend. Although technically the Christmas Season doesn't end until this coming Sunday we have now taken most of the decorations down. We left our nativity set up for the duration though, since the Wise Men only just arrived this past weekend. Didn't seem fair to take it down as soon as they got there.
Okay, so I had to put in a little of what we've been up to the past month. Moving on ...
I found out today that we are confirmed for the trip to Washington, D.C. in two weeks. We'll be driving up with another couple, following behind a van carrying about 8 others. There is also a bus going, but they are leaving at 9:30pm on January 20. The van and us will be leaving at 5am on the 21st. So we'll drive during the day and get to D.C. by that afternoon or so. Hopefully not too late! This trip should be very exciting and I'll definitely make a point of blogging about it when I get back. The basic itinerary will be a Mass at the National Basilica on Wednesday night (the same day we get there). I hear this is an awesome thing to be at with a procession that lasts about 30 minutes because of all the cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons in attendance. Should be very exciting. Then Thursday is the actual March for Life in the morning. I believe we are leaving to drive back to Lexington following the March. So for those friends in D.C. or in the area, I probably won't get a chance to visit with you. That is unless you come out for the March and help the hundreds of thousands of people there support Life!!
What actually happens at the March, I don't know, I've never been. I have seen pictures and some video clips people posted on You Tube and other video sites (I can't think of the Catholic one at the moment). I know there will be speakers and there is the march itself and who knows what else. It should be an exciting time!!
So that's our trip to D.C., in just a couple of weeks!! Can't wait. Oh, and to get us ready for it, there is a Vigil for Life here in Lexington on Sunday January 18. For anyone in the area who can make it, it's from 2-3pm that day at the new Courthouse downtown. There are a few speakers, Leo Brown is emcee, and they suggest bringing chairs and/or blankets with you.
And speaking of life, the life I am carrying seems to be doing well. In December we had our "big" ultrasound. It was so much fun watching them measure the head and look at the heart, and measure all the limbs and see the face. We got several pictures from the experience (posted on our picassa page and my FB page). And no, we did NOT find out the gender. Didn't plan to and didn't want to. We are looking forward to the surprise in May!! But everything is normal and looks good, that's all we were hoping for. I got to hear the heartbeat again at my appointment at the end of the month and it was nice and strong.
It seems that the last several days I might have started experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. Some of them seem quite strong, but now that I'm home from work and watching the clock I am realizing that they aren't lasting very long (10-20 seconds) and they are definitely irregular, sometimes 20 minutes apart, other times over an hour. So I did talk to the nurse today who works with my doctor and she recommended rest and possibly a visit to triage if I don't start feeling better in another day or so, mostly given my history (oen miscarriage and some bleeding earlier in this pregnancy). But overall, we think things are fine and this is probably nothing to worry about.
So if you think about it, please say a prayer for me and for baby. I wish I could feel the baby move around to know things are fine, but I still haven't felt him or her, so at the moment I am trusting that all is well; that's why we have faith, right? Next scheduled appointment isn't until Feb. 2, so please pray that I don't have to move it up for any reason!!
Thanks for all your prayers!! We'll be thinking about life in so many ways over this next month. Please pray for all those attending the March for Life, for all those women contemplating abortion, that they will choose life, for the unborn who have lost their lives in the name of "choice," and for me and the many, many others who are expecting, that the lives we carry will be kept safe and be born healthy!!
St. Gerard, pray for us! St. Philomena, pray for us! St. Anne, pray for us! Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all, pray for us!!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Shame, shame shame!!
Just came across this editorial in the Washington Times. Well worth the read, check it out here: Editorial: Shame on Planned Parenthood.
My thoughts:
If women are having to make difficult choices between putting food on the table and gas in the car versus getting the health care they need, they should be checking out state supported Medicare programs. There are lots of options for health care out there, Planned Parenthood is not the answer.
PP has an agenda, enough said.
The "gift of death"? Absolutely, see above comment.
I love this sentence:
Amen!! Life-altering consequences for both the mother seeking the abortion AND the child who is unwillingly losing their life.
And finally, I agree with the statements at the end of the editorial. Support life centers!! Support those centers who have no agenda!! There are many, many options for women who are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. There may be unplanned pregnancies but there are NEVER any unwanted children. All children are precious gifts from God.
There are many life centers or pregnancies help centers who need support. The end of the year is coming soon and many of us are donating money to charities at this time of year. There are many pregnancy help centers who offer non-biased counseling and support for women during and after their pregnancies. One such organization that I have supported is Birthright. There are also homes for women who can have support during their pregnancies, help finding jobs, continuing their education, learning how to budget finances, and so much more, all to help prepare them for the birth of their child and success in their lives. One such home is up the road from me in Louisville, KY and I know many more exist.
I'll be helping to support a local pregnancy center this Christmas when I attend a UK Student's for Life Christmas gathering next week. We'll be gathering donations of baby shampoo, diapers, bottles, and other baby needs for a mother in need who sought help from this local pregnancy center.
Find out what you can do too. It is the season of giving afterall!!
My thoughts:
If women are having to make difficult choices between putting food on the table and gas in the car versus getting the health care they need, they should be checking out state supported Medicare programs. There are lots of options for health care out there, Planned Parenthood is not the answer.
PP has an agenda, enough said.
The "gift of death"? Absolutely, see above comment.
I love this sentence:
More importantly, contraception and abortion are not forms of "health care": They are lifestyle choices with life-altering consequences.
Amen!! Life-altering consequences for both the mother seeking the abortion AND the child who is unwillingly losing their life.
And finally, I agree with the statements at the end of the editorial. Support life centers!! Support those centers who have no agenda!! There are many, many options for women who are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. There may be unplanned pregnancies but there are NEVER any unwanted children. All children are precious gifts from God.
There are many life centers or pregnancies help centers who need support. The end of the year is coming soon and many of us are donating money to charities at this time of year. There are many pregnancy help centers who offer non-biased counseling and support for women during and after their pregnancies. One such organization that I have supported is Birthright. There are also homes for women who can have support during their pregnancies, help finding jobs, continuing their education, learning how to budget finances, and so much more, all to help prepare them for the birth of their child and success in their lives. One such home is up the road from me in Louisville, KY and I know many more exist.
I'll be helping to support a local pregnancy center this Christmas when I attend a UK Student's for Life Christmas gathering next week. We'll be gathering donations of baby shampoo, diapers, bottles, and other baby needs for a mother in need who sought help from this local pregnancy center.
Find out what you can do too. It is the season of giving afterall!!
Monday, December 01, 2008
Quick (?) Update
It's been a while since I posted something personal on this blog. So I thought it was a good idea to at least try a quick update. Hopefully, I can keep it quick or brief.
So, as you may have figured out by now, if you follow my Facebook page or have looked at the top of the blog lately, yes, I am expecting!! I am now 16 weeks along and all seems to be going really well. Had an appointment today and the heartbeat was steady and strong at about 138-140 bpm. We're very excited! The due date is May 15. Oh, and we'll be having our BIG ultrasound December 16. Can't wait, but don'e ask about the gender, we're not finding out!
Chris and I went to Atlanta to visit my family for Thanksgiving. We had a good time spending time with everyone. Thanksgiving Day was really nice with lots of good food and good company. On Friday we visited the Georgia Aquarium with my sister and her family which was a lot of fun. My little niece had a great time seeing the fishes. I also got many of my sister's maternity clothes while I was home, so it was a great trip overall.
In other pregnancy news, there will be FOUR new babies in Chris' family next year. I have three sisters-in law also due in 2009. So we'll have three more nieces or nephews by the end of July next year. Due dates are May 4 (SIL in Bardstown), May 15 (me), July 4 (SIL in Bardstown), and July 12 (SIL in Birmingham). So next summer will be a busy one in our family.
We're starting into the daycare investigation at the moment. I visited two childcare facilities just before Thanskgiving. It's an interesting process. I have at least one more to visit that I've already talked to on the phone. I also have a list of 4-5 other places to still call and visit. So far, I feel lucky that wait lists are either short or nonexistant!
Work is going fine. Nothing major to report there, busy as always.
Coming up for me:
On a more simple, smaller scale: I'm hoping to learn to knit sometime soon. I never seem to have time and by the time I finish what I want to do each night it's already 11 or later and no time to do any knitting! Writing has also been on my mind lately. I hear that pregnancy can inspire more creativity in some women, so I'm tempted to try out a few ideas that I've been thinking of lately. It's been a very long time since I did any writing. Lastly, I need to make a Christmas list for my family gift exchange this year. So far I have one item (a book) on the list. I need five ... by Friday! Any suggestions are welcome!
That's the report for now. Hope everyone is doing well!!
So, as you may have figured out by now, if you follow my Facebook page or have looked at the top of the blog lately, yes, I am expecting!! I am now 16 weeks along and all seems to be going really well. Had an appointment today and the heartbeat was steady and strong at about 138-140 bpm. We're very excited! The due date is May 15. Oh, and we'll be having our BIG ultrasound December 16. Can't wait, but don'e ask about the gender, we're not finding out!
Chris and I went to Atlanta to visit my family for Thanksgiving. We had a good time spending time with everyone. Thanksgiving Day was really nice with lots of good food and good company. On Friday we visited the Georgia Aquarium with my sister and her family which was a lot of fun. My little niece had a great time seeing the fishes. I also got many of my sister's maternity clothes while I was home, so it was a great trip overall.
In other pregnancy news, there will be FOUR new babies in Chris' family next year. I have three sisters-in law also due in 2009. So we'll have three more nieces or nephews by the end of July next year. Due dates are May 4 (SIL in Bardstown), May 15 (me), July 4 (SIL in Bardstown), and July 12 (SIL in Birmingham). So next summer will be a busy one in our family.
We're starting into the daycare investigation at the moment. I visited two childcare facilities just before Thanskgiving. It's an interesting process. I have at least one more to visit that I've already talked to on the phone. I also have a list of 4-5 other places to still call and visit. So far, I feel lucky that wait lists are either short or nonexistant!
Work is going fine. Nothing major to report there, busy as always.
Coming up for me:
- Another band concert in a few weeks. I can't wait for this concert to be over with! It's basically an all Wagner concert. You just got to love orchestral transcriptions for clarinet (i.e. lots of violin work and no breaks!). I don't want to see any more Wagner for a very long time!
- It looks like Chris and I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. near the end of January for the annual March for Life. We'll traveling via bus with a group from the Lexington Diocese. It'll be fun to meet other people in the diocese and to be in D.C. for this awesome event.
- Sometime in here I'll have to register for baby stuff. I'll squeeze that in somewhere!!
- My last trip probably for a while will be in February when I head to Chicago for the Music OCLC Users Group and Music Library Association conferences. Hopefully by then I'll look pregnant and not just like I need to lose weight!
On a more simple, smaller scale: I'm hoping to learn to knit sometime soon. I never seem to have time and by the time I finish what I want to do each night it's already 11 or later and no time to do any knitting! Writing has also been on my mind lately. I hear that pregnancy can inspire more creativity in some women, so I'm tempted to try out a few ideas that I've been thinking of lately. It's been a very long time since I did any writing. Lastly, I need to make a Christmas list for my family gift exchange this year. So far I have one item (a book) on the list. I need five ... by Friday! Any suggestions are welcome!
That's the report for now. Hope everyone is doing well!!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Catholic Carnival 200!!
I'm a little late in posting this, but if you get a chance , go check out the latest version of the Catholic Carnival here.
It's number 200!! That means the Carnival has been going every week for 200 weeks! I always learn something new or find something very thought-provoking in reading the various posts in the Carnival. So go check it out, it's well worth the time.
It's number 200!! That means the Carnival has been going every week for 200 weeks! I always learn something new or find something very thought-provoking in reading the various posts in the Carnival. So go check it out, it's well worth the time.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sign the United Nations Petition
I heard a radio spot today that I had to find out more about and once I did I knew I had to share it with whoever I could. Thus, the reason for this post.
On December 10, 2008, pro-abortion organizations will be presenting a petition to the United Nations to make abortion a universally recognized human right. This is something that would be devastating to generations of children!! This can not happen.
So the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute has set up an alternate petition. 100,000 signatures are required for this alternate petition to be submitted. This has to happen before December 10, 2008!! Please go to the following site, read the petition and click on the link to sign the petition, then encourage others you know to do the same.
www.humanrightsforunborn.com
Also, on the website you can listen to the radio spot to learn a bit more. December 10 is the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. Let's not let this Declaration be reversed!!
In the words of the late Pope John Paul II: "A nation that aborts its own children is a nation without hope. Those who love and want to defend life must act not."
Life is a fundamental human right! Without life we would have no need to worry about the economy, the environment, taxes, or anything else. Please give all persons the right to life by signing this petition. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States, say a prayer of thanks for the life you've been given and for the lives that all need to be saved.
On December 10, 2008, pro-abortion organizations will be presenting a petition to the United Nations to make abortion a universally recognized human right. This is something that would be devastating to generations of children!! This can not happen.
So the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute has set up an alternate petition. 100,000 signatures are required for this alternate petition to be submitted. This has to happen before December 10, 2008!! Please go to the following site, read the petition and click on the link to sign the petition, then encourage others you know to do the same.
www.humanrightsforunborn.com
Also, on the website you can listen to the radio spot to learn a bit more. December 10 is the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. Let's not let this Declaration be reversed!!
In the words of the late Pope John Paul II: "A nation that aborts its own children is a nation without hope. Those who love and want to defend life must act not."
Life is a fundamental human right! Without life we would have no need to worry about the economy, the environment, taxes, or anything else. Please give all persons the right to life by signing this petition. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States, say a prayer of thanks for the life you've been given and for the lives that all need to be saved.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Birthright's "Bid and Buy"
Saturday night we attended a fundraiser for Birthright of Lexington. Birthright is a national organization dedicated to helping women who find themselves in crisis pregnancies. I had visited their office back in August to bring them a donation of items to help them out. At the time they were in need of baby toiletries, so I bought about $100 worth of baby lotion, diaper rash ointment, wipes, diapers, baby shampoo, and more. It was so great to go by their office and meet the director and get a chance to find out more about what Birthright does. It is such a wonderful organization!! At that visit is also when I learned about the annual baby shower they hold for their clients, and about the Bid and Buy fundraiser every November.
So Chris and I decided that we would attend in support of their cause. So the event was Saturday night and what a great time we had!!
It was held downtown at the convention center. The dinner was very good and the auctions they had were various and numerous. We ended up bidding on a couple items and winning one. So that was fun!
More importantly was the number of people there. I saw many people I knew or recognized from around town or my church. There were about 4-5 Catholic priests in attendance, including one from my parish. It was really an amazing amount of people: roughly 49 tables of 10 people each, so about 490 people or so were there. That's a lot of people just in Lexington who are willing to come out and support a wonderful pro-life cause.
Also, when we sat down for dinner and introduced ourselves to people at our table I was stunned to meet the chairperson of the Kentucky Memorial for the Unborn. So we talked a little about our experiences. She told me about attending a post-abortive conference after she had gone through an abortion, she also had a miscarriage before getting pregnant again with her son. I told her about my miscarriage and we talked a bit about the healing of naming our children and honoring their lives. She also told me about the power of healing she experienced after attending a Rachel's Vinyard Retreat. It was amazing to talk to her. I also got her card and now have the website for the Kentucky Memorial for the Unborn.
The Memorial will be in Frankfort at the Cemetary there. The Memorial features a statue of Rachel, one of Jacob's wives from the book of Genesis, and a large wall surrounding it with places to sit. It'll be in a quiet place, perfect for reflection and meditation. If you'd like to see more about this check it out here: Kentucky Memorial for the Unborn. The best part of the Memorial (and I haven't actually seen the site myself yet) is that it is apparently very visible from the State House. What a great thing for our legislatures to see from their offices: the unborn matter!!
The Bid and Buy night was a great time and I believe we'll try to make this an annual event (i.e. date night) for us as well. I hope we can get others to attend too!!
So Chris and I decided that we would attend in support of their cause. So the event was Saturday night and what a great time we had!!
It was held downtown at the convention center. The dinner was very good and the auctions they had were various and numerous. We ended up bidding on a couple items and winning one. So that was fun!
More importantly was the number of people there. I saw many people I knew or recognized from around town or my church. There were about 4-5 Catholic priests in attendance, including one from my parish. It was really an amazing amount of people: roughly 49 tables of 10 people each, so about 490 people or so were there. That's a lot of people just in Lexington who are willing to come out and support a wonderful pro-life cause.
Also, when we sat down for dinner and introduced ourselves to people at our table I was stunned to meet the chairperson of the Kentucky Memorial for the Unborn. So we talked a little about our experiences. She told me about attending a post-abortive conference after she had gone through an abortion, she also had a miscarriage before getting pregnant again with her son. I told her about my miscarriage and we talked a bit about the healing of naming our children and honoring their lives. She also told me about the power of healing she experienced after attending a Rachel's Vinyard Retreat. It was amazing to talk to her. I also got her card and now have the website for the Kentucky Memorial for the Unborn.
The Memorial will be in Frankfort at the Cemetary there. The Memorial features a statue of Rachel, one of Jacob's wives from the book of Genesis, and a large wall surrounding it with places to sit. It'll be in a quiet place, perfect for reflection and meditation. If you'd like to see more about this check it out here: Kentucky Memorial for the Unborn. The best part of the Memorial (and I haven't actually seen the site myself yet) is that it is apparently very visible from the State House. What a great thing for our legislatures to see from their offices: the unborn matter!!
The Bid and Buy night was a great time and I believe we'll try to make this an annual event (i.e. date night) for us as well. I hope we can get others to attend too!!
Early Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving came early to our house tonight. Hubby just got in the mood for some comfort food and cooked us up a turkey breast for dinner. But once you start cooking turkey, you can't stop there.
So we had turkey (which was reallly good), some cranberry sauce (of course!), butternut squash (cooked in a way I've never had before), mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy. It was quite a feast!!
I like Thanksgiving and Hubby likes the cooking, so whatever he wants to do is fine with me. It was a great dinner, and now we'll be eating it all week, lunches too!
Too bad we don't have any pie ...
So we had turkey (which was reallly good), some cranberry sauce (of course!), butternut squash (cooked in a way I've never had before), mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy. It was quite a feast!!
I like Thanksgiving and Hubby likes the cooking, so whatever he wants to do is fine with me. It was a great dinner, and now we'll be eating it all week, lunches too!
Too bad we don't have any pie ...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
THE issue in the upcoming Presidential Election
Okay, so the economy is on everyone's minds. It is an important issue and it seems that the focus of the election at the moment is this issue and this issue only. But there is one issue that trumps all others, even this one. Yes, we're all concerned about our houses, our investments, our children's futures, and so much more. But these wouldn't be concerns if you weren't here to be concerned about them. So what about all those who are never given the chance to live their lives?
Before I go on, read this article from Life News.
Go ahead, read it ... I'll wait.
I found the above article through a blog that I regularly read. It is very interesting to me that so many people don't realize what kinds of dangers are out there depending on the candidate you support. When it comes to Sen. Obama there are some major concerns, particularly in the life issues.
We are slowly becoming a nation with a culture of death. This culture of death already exists in a big way in many other parts of the world and the U.S. is not far behind. We are barely replacing our population and more and more we are seeing proposed policies that will bring this culture of death closer and closer for us. We need a culture of life in this country. The initiative in Washington State to allow assisted suicide, the greater and greater acceptance of euthansia, the millions of babies that have been killed through abortion, all these things and many more create a culture that doesn't respect life: life in all its stages. This election relies very much on this issue and the above article highlights the reasons why.
Some highlights from the article and my comments:
"Barack Obama supports federal funding of abortion."
No thank you, Sen. Obama. You aren't using my tax money to fund abortions!! The thing is, this does happen now. One of the country's largest abortion providers is Planned Parenthood which does currently receive federal funding. This needs to change. Abortion is not something that American's tax dollars should be used for.
"Barack Obama wants to stop federal funding to crisis-pregnancy centers."
Often when the issue of abortion comes up we often here the pro-death candidates/politicians say that they are in favor of limiting and reducing the number of abortions in this country. And yet, they don't vote that way. Want to reduce the number of aboritons?? Support the crisis-pregnancy centers!! Put the tax payer money there, that's where it's needed. Support laws that require abortion providers to do ultrasounds and explain to women that they are carrying another human being, explain that they have choices. Many women entering abortion clinics don't know their choices. So much for the push to keep so-called choice alive.
"Barack Obama has told the Planned Parenthood Action Fund that the first thing he will sign as president will be the Freedom of Choice Act, which will sweep away limits on abortion -- state and federal -- including restrictions on government funding of abortion and laws protecting anti-abortion health care providers."
The so-called Freedom of Choice Act is a dangerous Act for this country. Many, many states have enacted laws that require parental notification if a minor enters a clinic for an abortion, laws requiring abortionists to perform an ultrasound on a woman seeking an abortion and show her the baby that is growing inside her, laws allowing pro-life health care providers to not be involved in abortion or anything that is against their moral convictions. All these types of laws as well as others would be swept away if Obama signed this act. This just can't happen.
This issue is too important to not consider. Yes, the economy is of vital importance, the war in Iraq is definitely an issue that needs attention, and finding ways to make our country energy independant will do a lot to boost our economy. But much more important to any of this is the right for ALL of our citizens to be given the chance to have life. This is a civil rights issue, the most basic human right we have is that of life.
It's even part of the United States Declaration of Independance as one of the three "inalienable rights" of man: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Actually, it's even the first one listed.
Before I go on, read this article from Life News.
Go ahead, read it ... I'll wait.
I found the above article through a blog that I regularly read. It is very interesting to me that so many people don't realize what kinds of dangers are out there depending on the candidate you support. When it comes to Sen. Obama there are some major concerns, particularly in the life issues.
We are slowly becoming a nation with a culture of death. This culture of death already exists in a big way in many other parts of the world and the U.S. is not far behind. We are barely replacing our population and more and more we are seeing proposed policies that will bring this culture of death closer and closer for us. We need a culture of life in this country. The initiative in Washington State to allow assisted suicide, the greater and greater acceptance of euthansia, the millions of babies that have been killed through abortion, all these things and many more create a culture that doesn't respect life: life in all its stages. This election relies very much on this issue and the above article highlights the reasons why.
Some highlights from the article and my comments:
"Barack Obama supports federal funding of abortion."
No thank you, Sen. Obama. You aren't using my tax money to fund abortions!! The thing is, this does happen now. One of the country's largest abortion providers is Planned Parenthood which does currently receive federal funding. This needs to change. Abortion is not something that American's tax dollars should be used for.
"Barack Obama wants to stop federal funding to crisis-pregnancy centers."
Often when the issue of abortion comes up we often here the pro-death candidates/politicians say that they are in favor of limiting and reducing the number of abortions in this country. And yet, they don't vote that way. Want to reduce the number of aboritons?? Support the crisis-pregnancy centers!! Put the tax payer money there, that's where it's needed. Support laws that require abortion providers to do ultrasounds and explain to women that they are carrying another human being, explain that they have choices. Many women entering abortion clinics don't know their choices. So much for the push to keep so-called choice alive.
"Barack Obama has told the Planned Parenthood Action Fund that the first thing he will sign as president will be the Freedom of Choice Act, which will sweep away limits on abortion -- state and federal -- including restrictions on government funding of abortion and laws protecting anti-abortion health care providers."
The so-called Freedom of Choice Act is a dangerous Act for this country. Many, many states have enacted laws that require parental notification if a minor enters a clinic for an abortion, laws requiring abortionists to perform an ultrasound on a woman seeking an abortion and show her the baby that is growing inside her, laws allowing pro-life health care providers to not be involved in abortion or anything that is against their moral convictions. All these types of laws as well as others would be swept away if Obama signed this act. This just can't happen.
This issue is too important to not consider. Yes, the economy is of vital importance, the war in Iraq is definitely an issue that needs attention, and finding ways to make our country energy independant will do a lot to boost our economy. But much more important to any of this is the right for ALL of our citizens to be given the chance to have life. This is a civil rights issue, the most basic human right we have is that of life.
It's even part of the United States Declaration of Independance as one of the three "inalienable rights" of man: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
Actually, it's even the first one listed.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Catholic Carnival #183
I'm a little late this time around. Last week's Catholic Carnival can be found here:
http://musical-chemist.blogspot.com/2008/07/catholic-carnival-183_30.html
Hope you enjoy it!! Looks like a very interesting one this time around! Go check it out!!
http://musical-chemist.blogspot.com/2008/07/catholic-carnival-183_30.html
Hope you enjoy it!! Looks like a very interesting one this time around! Go check it out!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
When does life start?
Recently I was looking through some different pro-life pages on Facebook and ran across a discussion about when life begins. Most of the people participating in the discussion agreed that life begins at the moment of conception, when sperm meets egg. This is the view I agree with and it is what the Church teaches as well. If it doesn't begin there, it gets harder to say that any moment after that is when life begins, because it becomes harder to explain what the union of sperm and egg was from their first meeting until that later moment when life is suddenly there. It's completely logical: life has to start at the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg in the falopian tubes; not at the moment of implantation, not after the first trimester, nor at any other moment.
What was really interesting and disturbing to me was when someone brought the idea of when the soul enters that life. The person who brought this up said that she could not believe that God would create a life and give it a soul only to have it die while still in the womb; therefore she thought the soul probably came later. This totally upset me! Where there is a life there is a soul. And yes, sometimes those babies die. I know that first-hand.
Lately, these issues have been much more on my mind and they have caused me to contemplate more on a TV show I saw a while back, maybe a year and a half or more ago. The particular episode of this show was amazingly pro-life in its message and at the same time addresses an issue that many pro-abortion (or pro-choice) people use to support the killing of unborn babies.
The TV show was House, a medical drama about a doctor, Dr. House, who has a drug addiction but is still incredibly intelligent and does medicine his way, taking risks that others won't take while at the same time working with three residents. In the episode that I remember, he has a patient who is mysteriously sick and pregnant. I don't remember all the details, but essentially, Dr. House feels that the baby is actually killing her and she should abort the child. She refuses and insists that there must be a better way. The entire episode he won't call the baby anything but a fetus. The patient even calls him on it. Finally a solution to her problem is found and they have to perform a very risky surgery (it wouldn't be good TV otherwise). During the surgery, for some reason, they have to go into the womb without hurting the baby. And there is this amazing moment when the baby's hand reaches up and Dr. House notices it and things seem to slow down. As he watches this baby's hand reach up, he reaches out and the little baby fingers wrap around his finger. It is totally an amazing moment!
In the end the surgery is successful, the woman lives, and her baby was not harmed. Before she is discharged from the hospital Dr. House comes to see her and during their discussion he mentions "the baby." She notices right away that he has changed his vocabulary from fetus to baby!!
Most of today's media and certainly most of Hollywood is very liberal. To see a show like this that has such a powerful pro-life message is so rare and something we should be advocating for more of.
For anyone interested in more good pro-life entertainment, go see the movie Bella. Also, if you want to know what movies, books, and other forms of entertainment have good Christian messages and what don't, go check out Catholic Media Review, a blog that reviews all sorts of entertainment.
And, spread the word about life!! Life is precious and should be protected from that very first moment.
What was really interesting and disturbing to me was when someone brought the idea of when the soul enters that life. The person who brought this up said that she could not believe that God would create a life and give it a soul only to have it die while still in the womb; therefore she thought the soul probably came later. This totally upset me! Where there is a life there is a soul. And yes, sometimes those babies die. I know that first-hand.
Lately, these issues have been much more on my mind and they have caused me to contemplate more on a TV show I saw a while back, maybe a year and a half or more ago. The particular episode of this show was amazingly pro-life in its message and at the same time addresses an issue that many pro-abortion (or pro-choice) people use to support the killing of unborn babies.
The TV show was House, a medical drama about a doctor, Dr. House, who has a drug addiction but is still incredibly intelligent and does medicine his way, taking risks that others won't take while at the same time working with three residents. In the episode that I remember, he has a patient who is mysteriously sick and pregnant. I don't remember all the details, but essentially, Dr. House feels that the baby is actually killing her and she should abort the child. She refuses and insists that there must be a better way. The entire episode he won't call the baby anything but a fetus. The patient even calls him on it. Finally a solution to her problem is found and they have to perform a very risky surgery (it wouldn't be good TV otherwise). During the surgery, for some reason, they have to go into the womb without hurting the baby. And there is this amazing moment when the baby's hand reaches up and Dr. House notices it and things seem to slow down. As he watches this baby's hand reach up, he reaches out and the little baby fingers wrap around his finger. It is totally an amazing moment!
In the end the surgery is successful, the woman lives, and her baby was not harmed. Before she is discharged from the hospital Dr. House comes to see her and during their discussion he mentions "the baby." She notices right away that he has changed his vocabulary from fetus to baby!!
Most of today's media and certainly most of Hollywood is very liberal. To see a show like this that has such a powerful pro-life message is so rare and something we should be advocating for more of.
For anyone interested in more good pro-life entertainment, go see the movie Bella. Also, if you want to know what movies, books, and other forms of entertainment have good Christian messages and what don't, go check out Catholic Media Review, a blog that reviews all sorts of entertainment.
And, spread the word about life!! Life is precious and should be protected from that very first moment.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Some Updates
It's been a long time since I made any changes to this blog. So I have done a few updates the last couple of days.
I did some minor editing. But more importantly I updated the links on the left side bar. I took away some things and added in some different links. In particular you'll notice the section of Catholic/Pro-life blogs and websites. Lots of great info there!!
Also, I finally started using labels (or as we like to call them in library-land: tags)!! Further down on the left side you'll see a list of tags ... I mean labels and at the bottom of each post the labels for that post are listed. I tried my best to go back through all my old posts to add labels, but I tried not to read every old post, so I'm sure I have missed some things.
Hope you find some nice new things to look at here.
I did some minor editing. But more importantly I updated the links on the left side bar. I took away some things and added in some different links. In particular you'll notice the section of Catholic/Pro-life blogs and websites. Lots of great info there!!
Also, I finally started using labels (or as we like to call them in library-land: tags)!! Further down on the left side you'll see a list of tags ... I mean labels and at the bottom of each post the labels for that post are listed. I tried my best to go back through all my old posts to add labels, but I tried not to read every old post, so I'm sure I have missed some things.
Hope you find some nice new things to look at here.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saving the Earth: Plant a Seed
Okay, it's not Earth Day (that's in April) but we all know that taking care of our environment is increasingly more important to everyone. Not only that but taking care of our bodies/health is also a top priority for many (and should be for us all).
Do you recycle/reuse as much as possible?
Have you started driving safer to try saving on gas? Which has a bonus of keeping you, your passengers and other drivers around you safe!
Do you think about the energy you use at home? Electricity, running the washing machine, etc.?
Have you considered public transportation? Walking to work? Biking to work? Carpooling?
Do you buy organic? Shop at your local farmer's market? Or do you grow any of your own vegetables?
We are all thinking about ways to keep our bodies healthy, our families healthy, and our environment healthy. Some of us do more than others, but I think everyone I know is doing something or has at least considered doing something. Just knowing that someone has thought about something means a seed has been planted, it might take a while to germinate but it's there. And that's good!!
So I would like to plant a seed with all of you. While you consider what foods you buy, skipping fast food to eat something healthy and homecooked, and buying local produce rather than produce shipped across the country (or from other countries); and while you consider changing lifestyle choices rather than having to start taking medications/drugs for high cholestral or whatever, have you ever given any thought to Natural Family Planning?
There is an awful lot in the news and online about alternative ways of caring for your body rather than using drugs. Some drugs are good, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all forms of medication are bad, but maybe we don't need everything we put into our bodies? I can't see how pumping extra hormones into women's bodies to suppress their natural fertility can be healthy in the long run (and there is lots of research out there to support this).
This week is Natural Family Planning Week. Also, on July 25 is the the 40th anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) (follow the link to find the text of the encyclical and other related documents). This is a week to celebrate natural methods of family planning. I encourage everyone reading this to do some internet searching to find out more. With an open mind you might be surprised at how effective NFP can be and how much better for your health (and your marriage) it can be.
Briefly, for those who have never heard of it, there are several forms of NFP. My husband and I learned the sympto-thermal method through the Couple to Couple League. This method tracks temperatures, mucus signs, and cervix position to tell a couple when they are fertile and when they aren't. In addition the couple must communicate very openly about their mutual fertility and decide on a very regular basis whether they want to add to their family or if they need to postpone. By this method they are working in collaboration with God in creating life.
Other methods include the Billings method, the Creighton Method, and several others.
No drugs, no side effects, 100% natural, 100% effective, and many bonuses besides! It's a beautiful way to live your marriage and completely, 100% pro-life!
So I know this is an incredibly hard thing to understand and I know no one is going to suddenly jump on the NFP train just from reading this post. But I hope to plant a seed and if you are interested (even just for the sake of knowing more) then do a little looking around, do some reading, and let me know if you have questions. I may only be able to point you in the right direction, but I will do what I can.
In addition, I am updating this blog and off to the left side I have added a section for Catholic Blogs/websites. One is an NFP blog with lots of great info. I've only looked at part of it, but I can't wait to sit down and check out more.
As this week in celebration of Natural Family Planning continues and as we get closer to the anniversary of Humanae Vitae I hope to post a bit more about NFP things of interest. Stay tuned!!
Do you recycle/reuse as much as possible?
Have you started driving safer to try saving on gas? Which has a bonus of keeping you, your passengers and other drivers around you safe!
Do you think about the energy you use at home? Electricity, running the washing machine, etc.?
Have you considered public transportation? Walking to work? Biking to work? Carpooling?
Do you buy organic? Shop at your local farmer's market? Or do you grow any of your own vegetables?
We are all thinking about ways to keep our bodies healthy, our families healthy, and our environment healthy. Some of us do more than others, but I think everyone I know is doing something or has at least considered doing something. Just knowing that someone has thought about something means a seed has been planted, it might take a while to germinate but it's there. And that's good!!
So I would like to plant a seed with all of you. While you consider what foods you buy, skipping fast food to eat something healthy and homecooked, and buying local produce rather than produce shipped across the country (or from other countries); and while you consider changing lifestyle choices rather than having to start taking medications/drugs for high cholestral or whatever, have you ever given any thought to Natural Family Planning?
There is an awful lot in the news and online about alternative ways of caring for your body rather than using drugs. Some drugs are good, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that all forms of medication are bad, but maybe we don't need everything we put into our bodies? I can't see how pumping extra hormones into women's bodies to suppress their natural fertility can be healthy in the long run (and there is lots of research out there to support this).
This week is Natural Family Planning Week. Also, on July 25 is the the 40th anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) (follow the link to find the text of the encyclical and other related documents). This is a week to celebrate natural methods of family planning. I encourage everyone reading this to do some internet searching to find out more. With an open mind you might be surprised at how effective NFP can be and how much better for your health (and your marriage) it can be.
Briefly, for those who have never heard of it, there are several forms of NFP. My husband and I learned the sympto-thermal method through the Couple to Couple League. This method tracks temperatures, mucus signs, and cervix position to tell a couple when they are fertile and when they aren't. In addition the couple must communicate very openly about their mutual fertility and decide on a very regular basis whether they want to add to their family or if they need to postpone. By this method they are working in collaboration with God in creating life.
Other methods include the Billings method, the Creighton Method, and several others.
No drugs, no side effects, 100% natural, 100% effective, and many bonuses besides! It's a beautiful way to live your marriage and completely, 100% pro-life!
So I know this is an incredibly hard thing to understand and I know no one is going to suddenly jump on the NFP train just from reading this post. But I hope to plant a seed and if you are interested (even just for the sake of knowing more) then do a little looking around, do some reading, and let me know if you have questions. I may only be able to point you in the right direction, but I will do what I can.
In addition, I am updating this blog and off to the left side I have added a section for Catholic Blogs/websites. One is an NFP blog with lots of great info. I've only looked at part of it, but I can't wait to sit down and check out more.
As this week in celebration of Natural Family Planning continues and as we get closer to the anniversary of Humanae Vitae I hope to post a bit more about NFP things of interest. Stay tuned!!
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