St. Joseph’s Vanguard And Our Lady’s Train

At first, we were under the impression that we would foster a baby for a year. Then, we learned that a year is the longest time possible to foster, and actually, 6 months is usually more common.

Most recently, however, we talked with two foster moms who care for babies and both said that their usual amount of time with a baby is 2 weeks; 4 months was the longest a baby had ever stayed with one of the mothers. Yikes! I’m not sure if I can handle a 2-week stay. That doesn’t seem like quite long enough–no time to establish a routine or catch my breath or normalize a sleep schedule.

There’s so much uncertainty with this process. Devin and I know of two different couples who both were able to foster two babies a piece and adopt all of them. On the other hand, we’ve met one family who fostered babies for a year with the hope of adopting and was unable. I’m not really comfortable with the not-knowing but that may just be what Our Lord wants for me. Dear Hannah and Elizabeth, please pray for me.

Yesterday, I was reminded that people are good. We had a little break during our 6-hour Behavior and Crisis Management class and were chatting with our fellow participants. I asked the woman next to me the reason for her interest in foster care; she explained that she and her husband have already chosen the profile of a 7-year old boy on the TARE gallery whom they were interested in adopting. “But,” she said, “I’d really like to adopt enough boys for a whole baseball team” Her husband grinned and rolled his eyes. The woman to my left, Jennifer, who is currently adopting a sibling group, 3 and 5 years old, agreed; “I want to adopt, like, 15 children, and sometimes I make my husband nervous.” We met her husband on Thursday at our Psychotropic Meds class, and I don’t think he’s that nervous–he’s clearly smitten with their adoptive children. Many of our other classmates shared their sentiments, and we all laughed.

It was refreshing to see such goodness. We were talking about children as a source of joy, not as burdens or bothers. And, the gusto was contagious, making us all a little breathless as we contemplated opening our homes to many many children. Just as negativity and fear can spread, so does love, igniting nearby hearts and wreathing faces in smiles. Laughter seemed to bubble up inside of us at the audacity of generosity. Absolutely lovely.

Psychotropic Medications. If you have any questions about such chemicals, just ask me tomorrow; I promise to answer all your questions.

Devin and I are beginning to compile lullabies that we’ll sing to our babies–don’t laugh, Devin has a good voice, and I think men can sing lullabies, too. We especially like: Raglan Road, an Irish ballad–melancholy but beautiful; Kindle My Heart, from the sweet movie, “A Little Princess”; and Suo Gan, a lovely Welsh lullaby featured in “Empire of the Sun”–I’ll sing the English translation.

Happily, a local gardener has begun setting up a farmstand in our neighborhood on Saturday mornings. His stand is located right next to the Shell station on Amherst and Adelphi, in the Millwood neighborhood between Parmer and Duval. This morning, we purchased 8 lovely medium-sized tomatoes (everyone knows that garden tomatoes are the best) for $4, 3 large zucchini for $2, and 2 green/red bell peppers for $.75 each. He also had lots of peaches and plums, garlic and tomatoes, okra and fresh eggs and broilers for sale. Let’s keep him in business, Milwood residents.

Devin has kept you all posted about our ongoing foster-adoption training. We’re having a wonderful time and experiencing growing excitement about welcoming a child/children into our home. We learned Thursday evening that Arrow Project, the agency with which we’re working, receives many newborns. Apparently, these babies are born with addictions or born in the jail, and their mothers lose temporary custody, meaning that they need an immediate home. That’s when we get the call.

Can you imagine? We wake up one morning, having no idea that we’ll become foster parents that afternoon when baby is ready to leave the hospital. I keep trying to think this through, hoping that I can mentally prepare myself for such a drastic and wonderful event. I fail, however. I don’t know what can prepare me more than I already am and am praying that the Holy Spirit helps me if I’m forgetting anything.

Devin has generously given me approval to begin preparing baby’s room, so I’ve already chosen curtain and a few other things. Because we don’t know whether we’ll get a boy or girl, I’m decorating the room in neutrals, with khaki walls, white eyelet curtains, and then I’ll add pink or blue touches when we know for sure. I, also, need to buy glass bottles for feeding and the ingredients for homemade organic formula, as well as diapers and so on. I’ll keep you posted. And, please pray for us that we are able to handle this transition as gently as possible.

Father Alberto Borruel!

Fr. Alberto celebrated Mass at St. William’s this past Sunday and demonstrated himself to be a very faith-filled priest right away, thanks be to God.

He spoke of his delay in transitioning to St. William’s from Brenham, Texas, which was caused by him going to World Youth Day with 14 young people from his parish there.  The masses of young people were chanting “Benedictus, Benedictus” and “Jesucristo, Jesucristo!” he said.

It is such a blessing and so exciting to have another holy priest assigned to our parish, especially after Fr. Juan Carlos, who served God and us so faithfully, moved on to a new parish.

Our associate pastor, Father Juan Carlos, left our parish this past week to take a new assignment as pastor of a parish in Cameron, Texas.

Near the end of his farewell talk at the end of Mass, after he had thanked our Lord and also us for our love and kindness to himself, he said something to the effect of: “If I have failed to be a good Christian witness to you in any way, I ask for your forgiveness.”

Katie and I were both touched by this act of humility; it is so totally in line with our Christian faith of course–you ask for forgiveness from others–but it is not something you see done publicly very often, and coming from a priest who has only shown us great love and service (e.g. daily Confession), it is that much more moving.

May Christ bless Father Juan Carlos!

It’s tough to find clothing that is feminine, fashionable, and modest, and I was delighted yesterday to stumble upon the website for Shabby Apple clothing. It’s featured in the newly published Eliza magazine, which, from what I understand is an initiative of young women who are members of LDS. They did a great job with the magazine; it’s hip, chic, and features really cute clothing.

Check it out and consider subscribing. And, thanks, Mormon sisters, for helping to promote good fashion sense in such a spectacular Audrey Hepburn way.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training. All day. Fabulous. Lovely. I felt like I was at a retreat all day and am amazed by the beauty and wisdom of the Montessori method applied to catechesis. This is going to change me, and I’m glad of it.

The Pope is learning the l337 (”leet” short for “elite”) speak:

The Pope sent out his second daily text message to pilgrims - “The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles & gives u the power boldly 2 proclaim that Christ is risen! - BXVI”

Pack it up, pack it in, let Pope Benedict and World Youth Day begin!

Isn’t it newsworthy when hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world convene in Australia to celebrate and grow in their faith, led by an 80-year old theologian from Germany?

Apparently not, because none of the major news sites I watch each day even had a blip on it–maybe they’re waiting for BXVI (that’s “B-Sixteen” for Benedict the sixteenth) to make his appearance.

However, even though Sen. McCain doesn’t use email (how uncool, right d00d?), Pope Benedict has already sent a text message to the throng of young Catholics filling up Australia! (”Young friend, God and his people expect much from u because u have within you the Fathers supreme gift: the Spirit of Jesus - BXVI.”)

the names we’ve given to our two new Buff Orpingtons:

Festivities (oh the wit–our congratulations to Team Cooper)

In DOMESTIC CONGRESS, July 4, 2008
A DECLARATION
By the REPRESENTATIVES of
TEAM COOPER
And Its Friends Assembled

When in the course of Summer it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the banalities of June which have connected them with every erstwhile generation and to renew the august tradition of declaring America’s independence with pyrotechnics, alcohol, and barbeque—a station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them—a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to celebratory conflagration, inebriation, and mastication.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all holidays are not created equal, that only the Fourth of July is endowed by her Creator certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Bottlerockets, Beer, and Bratwurst. That to secure these rights, firework stands, charcoal grills, and German immigration are instituted among Men. That whenever any quisling Form of City or State Legislature becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to disobey and celebrate in a large parking lot overlooking that very City. Prudence, indeed, will dictate Barton Creek Square Mall parking lot (2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746 off of mo-pac and 360) is ideal for such a weighty and eternal cause; and accordingly experience of many hath shewn this location to be quite sublime for such noble civil disobedience…

[The City of Austin's unjust usurpations omitted.]

Farms

Devin and I will visit either Coyote Creek Farm or Barnison Farm. We hope to tour and ask lots of questions.

Banalities

We may watch Wall-E. I’m not exactly sure that I want to spend 2 hours viewing such silliness, but excellent sources tell us that it’s intelligent silliness and worth our time. So, we’ll give it a try.

Home Front

I will plant flowers, and Devin will manfully begin construction on our long-awaited pergola.

I recently made public the dream that Devin and I share of having a farm one day. I’m sure it was not terribly surprising to any of our dear readers, in view of the fact that our backyard is bursting at the seams with chickens, garden, mini-vineyard, compost pile, and bees. Still, I think the mention of our future farm was a occasion of sorts which now allows us to talk more freely about our future farm.

First, to answer the excellent question (see referenced blog post above) made by one of our faithful readers, Frances, New Mexico is not, despite urban legend, all desert. Well, I should clarify. New Mexico is nearly all desert but not desert like the Sahara; my lovely home state boasts a variety of climate zones–mountains for skiing, fishing, and hunting, lakes (manmade) for water sports, open land for farming, and, of course, acres and acres of mesquite and cactus. Certainly, nearly all of these climate zones receive little water, so they certainly belong in the “arid” category. Check out this lovely website for lovely photos of my lovely home state.

With that said, however, very few places in NM receive enough precipitation for irrigation-free farming. Which is why Devin and I are also looking seriously at the lovely state of Colorado. We plan to travel around Colorado more in the year ahead, to get an idea of which areas we like best. We’ll keep you posted, we promise.

Africans in Uganda are pleading for rich, powerful, and liberal Western entities to quit pushing their disastrous pro-condom, pro-”sex with anyone” agenda on them, because it is causing AIDS to increase.

The Family Research Council:

Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-Calif.) opposition to abstinence may resonate with liberal leaders, but it isn’t winning over many African converts. The California congressman, who, for seven years, has claimed that condoms are the most effective method for curbing disease, has finally met his match in Uganda, where the head of the country’s National AIDS Prevention Committee is calling on Americans to “let his people go” and allow Africans to prevent AIDS with what works — namely, abstinence.

Ugandan Sam Ruteikara in the Washington Post today:

In the late 1980s, before international experts arrived to tell us we had it all “wrong,” we in Uganda devised a practical campaign to prevent the spread of HIV. We recognized that population-wide AIDS epidemics in Africa were driven by people having sex with more than one regular partner. Therefore, we urged people to be faithful. Our campaign was called ABC (Abstain, or Be Faithful, or use Condoms), but our main message was: Stick to one partner. We promoted condoms only as a last resort.

Because we knew what to do in our country, we succeeded. The proportion of Ugandans infected with HIV plunged from 21 percent in 1991 to 6 percent in 2002. But international AIDS experts who came to Uganda said we were wrong to try to limit people’s sexual freedom. Worse, they had the financial power to force their casual-sex agendas upon us.

My mother is not supposed to be diagnosed with an incurable disease. She’s not supposed to need a feeding tube and device to assist her speech. Not my mother. She’s supposed to live to 90 years old and meet each of my (future) children and sit at the head of the table for every Christmas meal.

But, apparently, it is happening to me. My mother was diagnosed, as we feared, with Progressive Bulbar Palsy, at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic last week. I’d never even heard of the disease until May, when my parents’ research regarding my mother’s symptoms listed Bulbar Palsy as a possible match.

Her excellent doctors at Mayo confirmed my parents’ suspicions, but, happily, reassured her that she is still in the initial stages, which means that she might have 2-3 years left with us on earth. There are also various measures she can take to increase her comfort. We’ll just have to wait and see what lies ahead in the goodness of Christ.

I’m home to my beloved. And, my house. And, my chickens and bees and garden and flowers. And, my pillow with just the right amount of firmness. All my cupboards are packed according to my logic. The thermostat is set according to my (and Devin’s) comfort. Aah, the comforts of home.

There’s no doubt that I’m a creature of habit. My sister, Courtney, reminded me of this during my NM visit–and I chose not to take it as criticism. Because, it’s true. I’ve used the same lip gloss brand, Neutrogena, for 8 years and can eat the same thing for breakfast every day of the week. With this in mind, I was challenged by the uncertainty of my time with my family; by “uncertainty”, I mean lack of routine and familiar comforts.

With that said, of course, my time visiting my family was a treat. I particularly enjoyed getting to know my young nieces and nephews better–Ava and Addison-2+, Adam-2+, and Nathan-5, as well as visiting with my parents and siblings. My youngest brother, Ben, an incoming senior in high school, was more chatty than he’s ever been. I, also, especially enjoyed the view of the lovely Sandia Mts. every day and the lovely temperatures, with mid 80’s to low 90’s during the day and 70’s at night.

Welcome home, to me.

In Regnum Christi, we each draw up a Program of Life, which is kind of like our plan for growing in Christ, overcoming our faults, and strengthening our virtues.

I just created mine a few weeks ago and brought it to my spiritual director, a Legionary priest, to discuss it. In the Program of Life, you list what your “root sin” is: Pride, Vanity, or Sensuality. These correspond to St. John’s list in one of his letters of the common faults in all men. All people have these faults to some degree, but usually one is most prominent.

The totally awesome thing was that as Fr. Paul and I talked about my Program of Life and specifically what I thought was my root sin, he discovered by asking me good questions that my root sin was actually a different one! I was surprised because I like to think I “know myself” pretty well. So much for that notion!

Regnum Christi calls us to examine our life each morning with regard to our Program of Life, which includes the identification and practice of an opposite virtue to the root sin. In this way, we are on guard against the situations in which we most commonly fall to temptation (maybe it is being charitable to a harsh coworker or a trying family member, etc.).

In business, we formulate elaborate, detailed plans for how we will succeed in creating a product, marketing it, and selling it; in personal life, we set goals and work towards them, whether it be losing weight, running a marathon, or landscaping the yard, but in our spiritual life, we often just “wing it”, going along as best we can, sometimes forward, sometimes back, sometimes sideways.

Doesn’t it make sense to formulate a sound plan for attacking the faults that hurt ourselves, others, and our Lord and for growing in holiness, something that will affect our life both here and in eternity?

May Christ’s Kingdom come!

I have been delighted during the past week to know that Devin is being fed hot home-cooked meals by different friends of ours. Thank you, Gracias and Brumleys and Coopers and everyone else who is taking in this poor bachelor who would otherwise be living on burgers and nachos.

Okay, so it’s time to make the official announcement that I am preparing to apply to UT this winter for a graduate degree in Government, God willing. I’ll talk more about it later, but I say this to explain why I am spending my mornings reading de Toqueville’s classic, “Democracy in America”, published 1840.

Alexis de Toqueville must have been a brilliant man. I have consistently been impressed with his insight into our culture and system of government, as well as his grasp of our weaknesses. These weaknesses are few, and it is evident from his writing that he profoundly admires the political genius which makes the United States great.

With that said, I read this yesterday and was amazed by his foresight. He saw then that the strength of our civil society rested, among other things, upon our homogeneous national identity, writing:

“To ensure the long life of a confederation, a uniformity of civilization is no less necessary than a uniformity of needs in the diverse peoples forming it…In the United States, one fact which admirably supports the existence of the federal government is that the different states have roughly similar interests, common origins and language as well as the same level of civilization, all of which almost always produce an easy mutual agreement.”

Americans in 1840 were all generally Christian, educated (at least minimally), and of European descent. So, when we read the Constitution’s words ensuring a separation of Church and State, we all knew that meant the government would not restrict the free exercise of religion; but, it doesn’t mean that anymore. And, when we read the beautiful words about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, we all knew that meant life for all the innocent, in the womb or in the hospice bed; but, it doesn’t mean that anymore.

Because, times have changed, and we don’t share the same homogeneity of ideas. We have the “culture wars” now and political polemics. We have same-sex “marriage” legalized by the courts in California, despite 60% of the population voting otherwise, while Texas refuses to recognize such a marriage. We have the US Supreme Court upholding the federal law banning partial-birth abortion, and the state of Virginia passing a law allowing the abortion practice. It’s a political mess.

What does de Toqueville say happens when conflict ensues between the states or between the federal and state jurisdiction? It’s definitely not good.

However, in view of the fact that I am a member of Regnum Christi, one of whose charisms is proactive hope, I can’t end on that gloomy note. There is hope, so much of it. The homeschooling movement, the (now) simple majority of young people who are pro-life, the holy Pope who leads the Church and holy priests who serve us. Let’s keep calling our legislators and praying for those in authority. Let’s keep working. TKC!

We raised $1000 for the Walk for Life! The Walk took place on Saturday, June 7, and Devin generously walked in my stead, now that I am in NM; though, I did walk in Deming, to do justice to your generosity. Each of your generous donations will be used to help women who are pregnant and need good options, either through legislative efforts or through pregnancy care assistance at pregnancy care centers.

Thanks to each of you who helped make to fulfill my goal!

I am so relaxed this morning. That’s the beauty of long weekends–so much time to slow down and simply enjoy the company of my wonderful husband.

We had a great weekend. Devin invited me on a wonderful date Saturday evening at the Austin Wine Festival. It was the perfect date. A gorgeous sunset, cool breeze, live music (mellow country), and my sweetheart holding my hand. Plus, the wine, of course. And, on Memorial Day (yesterday), we had a great time kayaking with Devin’s father on Lake Georgetown. Devin was the perfect companion, splashing me just enough to be cute but not too much to be annoying. We went to Mass yesterday evening to pray especially for the repose of the souls of all those who have died defending our country.

It’s back to the grind today but not for very long, in view of the fact that we’ll hit the road Friday for a weekend trip to the Texas Panhandle, to visit Devin’s Uncle Rusty and Aunt Naomi on their ranch.

I received an this week e-mail from Regnum Christi, asking for prayers today for China, in answer to the Holy Father’s request. Pope Benedict XVI has asked that Catholics worldwide unite in a day of prayer for Catholics in China this May 24, in the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father Alvaro Corcuera, general director of the Legion of Christ and of Regnum Christi, has asked all of the Legionary communities and teams of consecrated women to offer their Mass, rosary, and Eucharistic adoration for this intention.

In response to the Pope’s exhortation, we are also invited to join in prayer on this day by going to Mass at our parishes, by praying a rosary, or perhaps by making a visit to Christ in the Eucharist or to an image of Our Lady.

The Pope has also written the following text for the occasion: a Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan.

Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan

Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother,
venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title “Help of Christians”,
the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection.
We come before you today to implore your protection.
Look upon the People of God and, with a mother’s care, guide them
along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always be
a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens.

When you obediently said “yes” in the house of Nazareth,
you allowed God’s eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb
and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption.
You willingly and generously cooperated in that work,
allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul,
until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary,
standing beside your Son, who died that we might live.

From that moment, you became, in a new way,
the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith
and choose to follow in his footsteps by taking up his Cross.
Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed
with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter.
Grant that your children may discern at all times,
even those that are darkest, the signs of God’s loving presence.

Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China,
who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love.
May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world,
and of the world to Jesus.
In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high,
offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love.
Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love,
ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built.
Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!

I currently have 3 blog posts crowding in my head and want to comment on all of Devin’s posts–isn’t he wonderful? But, I’ve had such a hard time keeping up lately. I know that’s no excuse, however. Steven Covey says that the phrase “I don’t have time” is not entirely correct. Of course, I have time. I just haven’t scheduled it to include blogging. So, dear readers, wait for me. I’m coming. I promise.

Okay, everybody, you’re doing a great job! My TAL Walk pledges are now up to $855. You’ve already helped me beat my goal of $500, and now I’m getting excited. Why now $1000? If you haven’t pledged me yet, and you’re still looking for a good way to tithe in May, consider going here and donating $10.

Thanks for all your support, especially Brumleys and Garcias (who’ve given a good bit more than $10).

Woo hoo! Thanks to a few very generous donors, I’m already up to $320. That was easy. Let’s keep it coming, blog readers. These funds go directly to helping women, men, and their babies–80% to pro-life lobbying and education and 20% to pregnancy resource centers in the Austin area. Your dollars are well-spent.

I am now a registered walker in the Texas Alliance for Life annual Walk. My personal goal is $500, which means that I only need 50 people to donate $10 each. We can totally raise that, right blog readers?

Please consider sponsoring me here. Thanks!

Katie about to go to the festival and teach cross-stitch:

Colleen Carroll Campbell has nailed it in her most recent article on the New York Times Papal Visit blog.

They [young people] are hungry for God. They are seeking transcendent truth and reliable moral guidance. And a growing number of them have come to believe that they can find both in an unreserved embrace of their Catholic faith and its most demanding moral teachings.

These young Catholics do not admire Benedict in spite of his message, but because of it. While many leaders today regard the young as bundles of hormones incapable of sacrifice or self-restraint, Benedict views them as souls longing for goodness and God. He tells them that the restlessness they feel — the persistent longing that no amount of money, power, or pleasure can seem to satisfy — is not a curse. It is a reminder that they were created for more than the consumption of goods and satisfaction of appetites. You were created for love, Benedict tells them, the kind of love that originates in God and spills over into service to others.

Yes! I often have discussions about this very matter with my friends, one in particular who thinks that people are incapable of self-mastery, sacrifice, nor virtue: Christ teaches the exact opposite, and the Pope faithfully witnesses to Christ Himself when he shows young people that they can live a life full of meaning, full of hope, full of faith, and full of love: Only in sincerely giving ourselves can we truly find ourselves.

This message of true hope is what we long for, and it is found in Christ and His Church; Christ loves every person and knocks on the doors of their hearts, offering everything that is good and beautiful to them, and taking nothing away except that which hurts them.

From Pope Benedict speaking to the youth:

Have you noticed how often the call for freedom is made without ever referring to the truth of the human person? Some today argue that respect for freedom of the individual makes it wrong to seek truth, including the truth about what is good. In some circles to speak of truth is seen as controversial or divisive, and consequently best kept in the private sphere. And in truth’s place - or better said its absence - an idea has spread which, in giving value to everything indiscriminately, claims to assure freedom and to liberate conscience. This we call relativism.

But what purpose has a “freedom” which, in disregarding truth, pursues what is false or wrong? How many young people have been offered a hand which in the name of freedom or experience has led them to addiction, to moral or intellectual confusion, to hurt, to a loss of self-respect, even to despair and so tragically and sadly to the taking of their own life? Dear friends, truth is not an imposition. Nor is it simply a set of rules. It is a discovery of the One who never fails us; the One whom we can always trust. In seeking truth we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus Christ. That is why authentic freedom is not an opting out. It is an opting in; nothing less than letting go of self and allowing oneself to be drawn into Christ’s very being for others (cf. Spe Salvi, 28).

(via American Papist)

Christ our Hope, Thy Kingdom come!