Merry Christmas

This is a pic of Christmas at our parish, St. Mary's in Tulsa. We had such a beautiful Christmas morning Mass, I sent a thank you note to the parish staff. We heard a rendition of Silent Night that moved most in the congregation to tears.

And below we have an amazing Christmas homily from the Holy Father.

We had a perfect Christmas at the Noble house. I'll upload pics soon.

Saint Luke’s account of the Christmas story, which we have just heard in the Gospel, tells us that God first raised the veil of his hiddenness to people of very lowly status, people who were looked down upon by society at large – to shepherds looking after their flocks in the fields around Bethlehem. Luke tells us that they were “keeping watch”. This phrase reminds us of a central theme of Jesus’s message, which insistently bids us to keep watch, even to the Agony in the Garden – the command to stay awake, to recognize the Lord’s coming, and to be prepared. Here too the expression seems to imply more than simply being physically awake during the night hour. The shepherds were truly “watchful” people, with a lively sense of God and of his closeness. They were waiting for God, and were not resigned to his apparent remoteness from their everyday lives. To a watchful heart, the news of great joy can be proclaimed: for you this night the Saviour is born. Only a watchful heart is able to believe the message. Only a watchful heart can instil the courage to set out to find God in the form of a baby in a stable. Let us ask the Lord to help us, too, to become a “watchful” people.

Saint Luke tells us, moreover, that the shepherds themselves were “surrounded” by the glory of God, by the cloud of light. They found themselves caught up in the glory that shone around them. Enveloped by the holy cloud, they heard the angels’ song of praise: “Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace on earth to people of his good will”. And who are these people of his good will if not the poor, the watchful, the expectant, those who hope in God’s goodness and seek him, looking to him from afar?

The Fathers of the Church offer a remarkable commentary on the song that the angels sang to greet the Redeemer. Until that moment – the Fathers say – the angels had known God in the grandeur of the universe, in the reason and the beauty of the cosmos that come from him and are a reflection of him. They had heard, so to speak, creation’s silent song of praise and had transformed it into celestial music. But now something new had happened, something that astounded them. The One of whom the universe speaks, the God who sustains all things and bears them in his hands – he himself had entered into human history, he had become someone who acts and suffers within history. From the joyful amazement that this unimaginable event called forth, from God’s new and further way of making himself known – say the Fathers – a new song was born, one verse of which the Christmas Gospel has preserved for us: “Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to his people on earth”. We might say that, following the structure of Hebrew poetry, the two halves of this double verse say essentially the same thing, but from a different perspective. God’s glory is in the highest heavens, but his high state is now found in the stable – what was lowly has now become sublime. God’s glory is on the earth, it is the glory of humility and love. And even more: the glory of God is peace. Wherever he is, there is peace. He is present wherever human beings do not attempt, apart from him, and even violently, to turn earth into heaven. He is with those of watchful hearts; with the humble and those who meet him at the level of his own “height”, the height of humility and love. To these people he gives his peace, so that through them, peace can enter this world.

The medieval theologian William of Saint Thierry once said that God – from the time of Adam – saw that his grandeur provoked resistance in man, that we felt limited in our own being and threatened in our freedom. Therefore God chose a new way. He became a child. He made himself dependent and weak, in need of our love. Now – this God who has become a child says to us – you can no longer fear me, you can only love me.

With these thoughts, we draw near this night to the child of Bethlehem – to the God who for our sake chose to become a child. In every child we see something of the Child of Bethlehem. Every child asks for our love. This night, then, let us think especially of those children who are denied the love of their parents. Let us think of those street children who do not have the blessing of a family home, of those children who are brutally exploited as soldiers and made instruments of violence, instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace. Let us think of those children who are victims of the industry of pornography and every other appalling form of abuse, and thus are traumatized in the depths of their soul. The Child of Bethlehem summons us once again to do everything in our power to put an end to the suffering of these children; to do everything possible to make the light of Bethlehem touch the heart of every man and woman. Only through the conversion of hearts, only through a change in the depths of our hearts can the cause of all this evil be overcome, only thus can the power of the evil one be defeated. Only if people change will the world change; and in order to change, people need the light that comes from God, the light which so unexpectedly entered into our night.

And speaking of the Child of Bethlehem, let us think also of the place named Bethlehem, of the land in which Jesus lived, and which he loved so deeply. And let us pray that peace will be established there, that hatred and violence will cease. Let us pray for mutual understanding, that hearts will be opened, so that borders can be opened. Let us pray that peace will descend there, the peace of which the angels sang that night.
In Psalm 96 [95], Israel, and the Church, praises God’s grandeur manifested in creation. All creatures are called to join in this song of praise, and so the Psalm also contains the invitation: “Let all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes” (v. 12ff.). The Church reads this Psalm as a prophecy and also as a task. The coming of God to Bethlehem took place in silence. Only the shepherds keeping watch were, for a moment, surrounded by the light-filled radiance of his presence and could listen to something of that new song, born of the wonder and joy of the angels at God’s coming.

This silent coming of God’s glory continues throughout the centuries. Wherever there is faith, wherever his word is proclaimed and heard, there God gathers people together and gives himself to them in his Body; he makes them his Body. God “comes”. And in this way our hearts are awakened. The new song of the angels becomes the song of all those who, throughout the centuries, sing ever anew of God’s coming as a child – and rejoice deep in their hearts. And the trees of the wood go out to him and exult. The tree in Saint Peter’s Square speaks of him, it wants to reflect his splendour and to say: Yes, he has come, and the trees of the wood acclaim him. The trees in the cities and in our homes should be something more than a festive custom: they point to the One who is the reason for our joy – the God who for our sake became a child. In the end, this song of praise, at the deepest level, speaks of him who is the very tree of new-found life. Through faith in him we receive life. In the Sacrament of the Eucharist he gives himself to us – he gives us a life that reaches into eternity. At this hour we join in creation’s song of praise, and our praise is at the same time a prayer: Yes, Lord, help us to see something of the splendour of your glory. And grant peace on earth. Make us men and women of your peace. Amen.

He Gathers the Lambs in His Arms

Thanks

I'm feeling quite joyful lately - maybe it's the intoxication of existence that Chesterton refers to. Why? Because God's there always no matter my mood, my ability to sense His Presence, my circumstances, the economy, etc. That's wonderful.

Plus, Mary's home for Thanksgiving and I'm so enjoying having her home. AND all five kiddos are coming home for Christmas for about 2 weeks.

Love is what matters. And that's what I'm most thankful for.

Have a wonderful Turkey Day, all you readers out there. Remember Who to thank!

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God...

...No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands (LIZZY!), to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. (Abraham Lincoln, 1863)

Mary and Vegetarian Vampires

Mary's home. Last night we ate pizza and watched the OU football game (which was won handily by the Sooners). Today we went to church, then to TGIF's for lunch, then the three of us were going to go to the movie Twilight, but it was sold out. So Chris dropped Mary and I at Barnes and Noble til the next movie. That was fun - browsing the books til 4, then we went to the movie. It's good Chris didn't go because it was definitely a chick flick (with dark action). I wasn't a big fan of these books and movies for young teens until I heard that the books were written by a Mormon mom. The good vampires are "vegetarians" (they don't devour humans) and the teen couple can only go so far physically so that he doesn't, well, let's just say it takes a lot of discipline to be a vegetarian. It's a neat way to show a pure, selfless love.

I'm on vacation at work - even though I'm showing up for 3 days this week, I'm on vacation mode because lots of folks are off and no meetings are scheduled. Sarah said I should take a Pina Colada with me. Instead I took my little fuzzy pipe cleaner man-on-a-lawn-chair that I made during a very boring day-long meeting a few years ago. I'll post a picture if I can.

Sorry about the comments not being on the last post - hopefully they'll show up this time.

Love y'all!

Love and Not

This is the SWEETEST article about an amazing Tulsa family.

Also, for any who may have thought it an exaggeration that Obama could make much difference regarding abortion, a quote from today's Tulsa World:

"There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we'll see the president do that," Podesta said. "I think that he feels like he has a real mandate for change. We need to get off the course that the Bush administration has set."….Presidents long have used executive orders to impose policy and set priorities. One of Bush's first acts was to reinstate full abortion restrictions on U.S. overseas aid. The restrictions were first ordered by President Reagan and the first President Bush followed suit. President Clinton lifted them soon after he entered the Oval Office, and it wouldn't be surprising if Obama did the same.”

Stomach (and Emotions) Churning

In looking for a picture to put on my last post, I came across a picture of an aborted baby. My God.

N.O.W. and the media have led us to believe that only radical (translate violent - what a paradox) pro-lifers would make people look at these pictures. Good Lord! No American of conscience should take a stand for abortion WITHOUT looking at these pictures. Don't look if you can't stand it.

A Message to Our President

I don't know why I keep writing emails to people with my thoughts on things. Somehow it makes me feel better, even though I know they won't be read. In this case it helped me to sort out my strong and conflicting emotions about the election. SOOOO, here's what I posted on www.barackobama.com:

I was a strong McCain supporter. I've been drawn to your passion for social issues. But as a mother I cannot deny the urgency of the pro-life issues. I cried Tuesday night, first from sorrow and later from joy as I watched African Americans celebrating in the street.

We know now that abortion is not a good thing. Surveys indicate the innate revulsion by young people, demographics show the skewing of God-given balances, and devastated women cause us to wonder how removing a blob of cells can cause 30 years of pain.

More is required than working to reduce the number of abortions. Our legal and cultural foundations were radically changed when we ranked the right to privacy over the right to life.

What will you do to ensure future government actions are based upon today's reality of abortion rather than the fantasy that was created by radicals 35 years ago? With an enormous amount of political power in your hands, what will you do to ensure that your decisions reflect unvarnished, unadulterated facts? Are you willing to, for instance, look at data or pictures? Are you willing to be the one to answer Malia or Sasha when they ask, "What is abortion, daddy?" Are you willing to select Supreme Court justices without litmus tests?

As Archbishop Chaput said in explaining what we should consider in making decisions related to this critical topic, "And what would a proportionate reason look like? It would be a reason we could, with an honest heart, expect the unborn victims of abortion to accept when we meet them and need to explain our actions as we someday will."

VOTE!

Chaput

I tried to quote from Archbishop Chaput's (American Indian Bishop of Denver) book when I was talking to Sarah this morning and realized I mangled it quite a bit. Here's the accurate quote, which was his response to how we can morally justify a pro-choice vote.

"And what would a proportionate reason look like? It would be a reason we could, with an honest heart, expect the unborn victims of abortion to accept when we meet them and need to explain our actions as we someday will.”

I love this statement. It clarifies the gravity of abortion, indicating that these "blobs of tissue" are human souls that will exist in heaven. Yet it truly allows for another choice. We could justify another vote to them, but when looked at from this perspective, it would have to be major.

BXVI and Stephen Hawking

Scientists were invited to the Vatican to discuss Evolution. The entire content of the Pope's speech is here

My favorite part:

To “evolve” literally means “to unroll a scroll”, that is, to read a book. The imagery of nature as a book has its roots in Christianity and has been held dear by many scientists. Galileo saw nature as a book whose author is God in the same way that Scripture has God as its author. It is a book whose history, whose evolution, whose “writing” and meaning, we “read” according to the different approaches of the sciences, while all the time presupposing the foundational presence of the author who has wished to reveal himself therein. This image also helps us to understand that the world, far from originating out of chaos, resembles an ordered book; it is a cosmos. Notwithstanding elements of the irrational, chaotic and the destructive in the long processes of change in the cosmos, matter as such is “legible”. It has an inbuilt “mathematics”. The human mind therefore can engage not only in a “cosmography” studying measurable phenomena but also in a “cosmology” discerning the visible inner logic of the cosmos. We may not at first be able to see the harmony both of the whole and of the relations of the individual parts, or their relationship to the whole. Yet, there always remains a broad range of intelligible events, and the process is rational in that it reveals an order of evident correspondences and undeniable finalities: in the inorganic world, between microstructure and macrostructure; in the organic and animal world, between structure and function; and in the spiritual world, between knowledge of the truth and the aspiration to freedom. Experimental and philosophical inquiry gradually discovers these orders; it perceives them working to maintain themselves in being, defending themselves against imbalances, and overcoming obstacles. And thanks to the natural sciences we have greatly increased our understanding of the uniqueness of humanity’s place in the cosmos.

2nd Experience I'd Like to Describe

Damn - I forgot what it was!

Praying in the Cold

Since I last blogged, I've had two experiences that I'd like to describe. First, I've been praying at the 40 Days of Life spot (which I described earlier) - quite an experience. Two people at a time pray in the location across from the abortion clinic 24 hours a day for 40 days.

The first night, when I arrived, the people before me said that the man in the parking lot of the clinic had been driving in and out of the lot and walking around in an agitated way, staring at the pray-ers. When I got there he was standing still and staring straight at us, then later, like they said, walked back and forth and then stopping to stare some more. I wonder, I thought, if I should be concerned about this. Then the next thought was, oh well, if he's violent or something, what a way to go! So I closed my eyes and kept praying. I heard his engine and saw him drive - away, I thought at first, but no - right into our parking lot.

I kept praying and pretty soon his face popped out around the side of the tent. Thank God I had decided it was a good way to go, because contrary to natural reaction, I had a welcoming smile on my face. I think he spoke only Spanish because he just kind of beckoned toward a prayer spot and I said, "Yes, please!" So he entered the tent, knelt to pray for about 20 minutes and then quietly left.

A few days earlier, a couple were praying during the day and a young man and woman drove into the clinic lot, walked into the building, then walked back out and came across the street to tell the pray-ers thank you - they had decided against the abortion. I'd love to meet that baby some day!

Some thoughts based on all this:
* The more I read about abortion and its aftermath the more I realize how many women end up getting abortions because they feel pressured by their mates or parents. How pro-woman is that? One of the pray-ers described talking to a couple in the clinic parking lot (we can only go so far on the grass near the street). There were two children in the back seat. The man was enraged and the woman was weeping uncontrollably.

*No one can deny the devastation many women feel following abortion. Here's a PBS summary of the pain. The most powerful witness against abortion are the women at the rally that I saw walking with "I Regret My Abortion" posters. Why would these women put themselves through this? In my mind, only if the devastation was total and the desire to help others was overwhelming. We heard from six of them. Every one of them still cry when they tell their stories, as far back as the 70's.

*I'm getting more involved. The greatest joy of my life would be to talk with a woman who would then decide against abortion. Some day I will blog about it!

(Gotta go finish Saturday chores - will blog about second experience later, hopefully not a month from now!)

An American Carol

Twice in one day! I had to give a review of the movie we just saw - An American Carol. Even though it wasn't a great movie technically, I loved it. It was hilarious at points. Even if you don't agree with the politics, I think you might enjoy it. As a conservative who has been hit upside the head with liberal ranting in movies that I didn't know were going to be political, it was cathartic to watch. An interesting mix of "Airplane!"-like, irreverent, slap-stick-humor and a serious patriotic message. A blogger reviewed it thus:

Two tickets for “An American Carol” this evening - $16
Flipping the bird to the Hollywood Left - Priceless!

Shower of Roses

When I spread the "Guardian Angel" feast day cheer, people asked me why I wasn't celebrating St. Therese's feast day (October 1). I was. More quietly. I came across this beautiful rose novena story, though, that I wanted to share. I've shared just a fraction of the Noble Family novena stories here.

I was ten years old when I first witnessed the power of St. Therese's novena, in the form of a literal shower of the roses she had promised. Named after the Little Flower myself, I could see my mother grasping for something that would heal the wound inside her when my father left. She went to prayer group once a week, said a rosary every morning, and hung an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our kitchen.

But I especially remember her novena prayer to St. Therese... Around the time my dad left, I knew my mom was particularly desperate and in need of a sign from heaven that she could raise her four daughters by herself, despite her hurt. On the fifth day of her novena, our neighbor Mr. Miller, who kept an impeccable garden, was pruning his rose bushes. As he trimmed off the fully blossomed flowers to make room for the tender buds, he noticed my twin sister playing soccer in the backyard.

"Give these to your mom," he said. There must have been eight dozen roses of all different shades. With the skill of an artist, my sister went back and forth, from his garden to our kitchen, arranging all the roses until she ran out of vases and counter space.

Later, my mom came into the kitchen exhausted from a long day's work to find what looked and smelled like a rose garden on our kitchen counter. Remembering it was the fifth day of her novena, she cried tears of hope.

Liz Update

Elizabeth made it to Chuloteca yesterday. There are only two hospitals and one of them is approved by the Peace Corps. She went to the wrong one and when she inquired about the Peace Corps the doctor thought she was trying to get special treatment because she is an American and yelled at her (grrrrr).

She finally found the right one, the doctor didn't tell her what she had and gave her six prescriptions. She didn't get them all filled ("Did you get the one filled that ends in "cilin", Liz?", "I don't know - I can't look, I'm walking down the street, trying to catch the bus!")

I'm inserting a picture of one of the two hospitals.
I called her last night and woke her up and she sounded miserable. She was insisting on teaching her class today, so hopefully she's feeling better!!! Love you, Lizzie!!! Can't wait til Christmas!

Happy Feast Day, Guardian Angel!

Today is your Guardian Angel’s Feast Day. Say a quick thank you for all the times your angel:

* Kept you out of trouble
* Helped you remember to turn off the iron
* Reminded you of God’s love
* Stayed up all night, pacing and praying, during the times when you thought you were all alone

Our angel, “brings us great help and consolation: they walk at our side and protect us in all circumstances, they defend us from danger, and to them we can turn at any moment. Many saints established bonds of real friendship with the angels, and numerous episodes testify to their assistance on particular occasions. Angels are sent by God 'to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation' as the Letter to the Hebrews says, hence they are a real help to us on the pilgrimage towards the heavenly homeland." Pope Benedict XVI

And may Elizabeth's guardian angel protect her tomorrow as she tries to find a way to the hospital in Chiloteca for what could be either dengue or bronchitis.

40 Days For Life

I just came back from a rally with about 200 people on a vacant lot across from Tulsa's Planned Parenthood. The Diocese bought the lot and there will be people praying there around the clock for 40 days. I'm looking forward to spending time there. It felt great to be surrounded by people who support something I feel so passionately about.

Anyway, whether or not your city has joined the 40 Days for Life campaign, please join me if you are of the mind to in praying for the women and children who have and will be damaged by this hateful practice.

Argentina March

A group of young adults in Argentina protect the Cathedral from protesters marching past as a part of a Pro-Abortion Rally. Really interesting and disturbing.



I love you guys, but I'm going to limit comments for awhile so I don't worry about starting a firestorm with my blog posts.

I'm So Excited!

What a great move! Sarah Palin was a brilliant choice for Vice President. She's going to energize the Republicans, especially the pro-life base. I went to the McCain website and volunteered (I also sent emails to many of you - no, not you. You.) GO MCCAIN / PALIN!!!!!!!!!!! Here's a picture of her and her husband with her youngest. He was born in April (mom was 44). After finding he had Down's Syndrome during her pregnancy, her doctor recommended an abortion. She responded that every life has value. Also (but this isn't the ONLY reason I support her) - she HAS FIVE KIDS!

Beautiful Honduras

Chris and I are in beautiful Honduras visiting Lizzy. It´s sooo wonderful to see her and to see exactly where she lives and the beautiful people she works with has been quite a blessing. We were here for 3 days "> it´s the city where Liz lives. People asked us often if we liked Honduras, they had a hard time understanding why we thought it was better than the US in many ways, a better place to raise children especially. The children amazed me. And so did the women. Getting there was a trip and a half and getting to some of the people´s homes was even more of a trip. I´ll write more later, right now I´m in an internet cafe with Chris, Liz and 2 American girls we gave a ride to. They´re waiting to go.
We´re now headed here
Love you, and I hope the St. Mary´s reunion was wonderful!!

Oh well, blogging with Spanish directions isn´t working (and the keyboard is different!). The pics screwed up, will fix later. Adios!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I tell everyone that this is the best day of the year to have a birthday. I get the day off every year, so does everyone else, and I don't have to bake a turkey or buy presents for everyone either!
God has been so good to me - beginning with blessing me with two wonderful parents. And four siblings who loved me. What fraction of the population can even say that? And then to have a wonderful marriage puts me in a smaller fraction and to have amazing kids who love me and love each other - an even smaller fraction. Thank you, Lord for the gift of life.

:)

I found this on a stumbled upon Chinese blog.

More Thoughts About Tim Russert

I've been watching a lot of memorials. MSNBC is practically 24/7 Tim Russert. I watched the Tim-less Meet the Press, which started with an empty chair. This picture was taken after the show, Tim's son Luke near the chair. Matt Lauer's interview with Luke the next morning on Today was beautiful. And now I'm sitting in a Gillette WY hotel, traveling for work, listening to more on the MSNBC website. So you can gain some of the benefit from all this, here are some of the most interesting, poignant points and my thoughts:

**There was a lot of talk about his faith. He was a walking advertisement for the Catholic faith. And his friends' memorials were further inspirations for the faith.

**Of all the comments about his faith, there was only one mention of him going to daily Mass - here at Vanity Fair (where his wife writes), an article written by Christopher Hitchens, author of God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. He said, "Tim was much more than a “practicing” Catholic: he was a devout and highly serious one who attended church every day."

**One of his best friends, Mike Barnicle, was asked to substitute for Chris Matthews on Hard Ball on Friday. Chris hadn't taken a day off since Thanksgiving and Mike never goes to Washington ("a town that gives me hives"), so the fact that he was there and visited with Tim minutes before he died, was considered by all to be very providential.

**The Washington NBC News office was imbued with his personality and love - they were a close-knit, loving family, much of which shown through during the coverage. Andrea Mitchell said the best way to describe him was that he played the role of a parish priest at the Washington bureau.

**Some people thought it was cruel, I thought it was fitting and profound, that this lover of fatherhood died on Father's Day weekend.

**There were so many stories about how he would find out about someone, especially children or older parents of employees, who was suffering and he would follow up with them. One son of an employee who had cancer and lost his hair received a hat from Tim and then he kept sending new hats as he traveled to different locations. Several employees who had babies talked about receiving notes from him written to the baby, welcoming him to the world and telling him how wonderful life is.

**His son asked if he could have his famous Florida! Florida! Florida! white board and Tim was really touched, until Luke said, "You know what that thing will bring in on eBay?"

In Memory... (UPDATED with link)

I can only hope that when I die I leave behind the love this man did. Love for his family, his God, his country, his co-workers and friends.

I left a message on www.nbcnews.com and there were already 574 pages of comments. Tim Russert was a devout Catholic and I saw him as a role model "for integrating one's faith and values with one's work in a secular environment that can often be hostile to what is sacred."

It's Been Awhile

hasn't it? I've had nothing to say, actually. Which reminds me of a famous quote by someone I can't remember - "When you have nothing to say, it is better to keep one's mouth shut and look like an idiot than to open it and remove all doubt."

Sarah and I are sitting at the Cherry Street Coffee shop after hearing "George Wallace" speak at Chautauqua.
I love Chautauqua. I've gone every year since the year after it was established in Tulsa when we moved here in 1992. The most fascinating speaker this year was Malcolm X. It was so interesting to discover the people beneath the caricatures as they had been portrayed in the media. David always told me I should find out more about Malcolm X. Now that I have I want to find out more. I was especially interested in how God worked in the 1960's through both men who were believers with opposing world views. Did the U.S. culture need both to be able to effectively change? Did we need the compassion that surfaced as a result of seeing non-violent demonstrations with black men wearing sandwich boards reading: "I AM A MAN" as well as the fear that surfaced when we saw black separatists raising their fists and demanding "No More"?

In all, with a Chautauqua focused on the 60's, I'm amazed at the amount of social change that came about in such a short period of time without some sort of collapse - especially related to the civil rights movement. And now to see Barak Obama raising his hands in victory in the same state where Wallace's forces used hoses to keep back the demonstrators - pretty cool. I can't support him for numerous reasons, but pretty cool.

Nothing Special

...today. Just a picture of one of my favorite things...

The Story of a Song

The song had its beginnings in Chicago. Horatio G. Spafford was a successful attorney making his way in the rough-and-tumble world of a growing Chicago economy. He was a Christian who had no idea how soon his faith would be tested. In the late 1860's, tragedy struck Mr. Spafford with the death of his son. Then he was devastated by the great Chicago fire of 1871. He had invested heavily in real estate along the shores of Lake Michigan, and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster.

In 1873 Spafford was advised by doctors that his wife needed a change of location due to health problems. Spafford decided to sail over the Atlantic with his family, but a last-minute business emergency arose, and he was forced to send his wife and daughters ahead on schedule. His plan was to join them on another ocean crossing later. But on the fateful day of November 22nd, 1873, the ship his family had boarded was struck by an English ship and sank in 12 minutes. Mrs. Spafford survived, but all four daughters -- Tanetta, Maggie, Annie, and Bessie -- were among the 226 who drowned in the icy waters of the Atlantic. From Cardiff, Wales, his wife Anna sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.”

Who among us can imagine the grief that filled Horatio Spafford's soul when word of the disaster reached him? Perhaps even fewer of us can imagine what it was like for Spafford to board another ship to cross the swirling waters alone, knowing that he would pass right over the watery graves of his four daughters on the way to meet his grieving wife.

But on that ship, the light of faith illuminated the darkness of Spafford's life. Out of the depths of his despair arose the certainty that God was in control, and that he would see his daughters again. In response to that inspiration, he penned this song as his ship passed the spot where his daughters died:

"It is Well With My Soul.”
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood for my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Ironically (or should we say mercifully and providentially?), Bliss himself died in a tragic train wreck shortly after writing this music. He survived the initial impact, but died when he went back into the flames in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue his wife. The Spafford family was together once again.

From Rap to Opera

An angel.

A Great Pro-Life Rap Video

This is really beautiful. And hits home to an entirely different population than most pro-life efforts. Thanks, Lisa!

Quote of the Day

"Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, [and] each of us is necessary." Pope Benedict XVI (as quoted by Pres Bush at the 5th annual Catholic Prayer Breakfast)

Again, thank you Lord.

Sex abuse victims who met with Pope Benedict speak on CNN. A more complete, but heart wrenching video version on CNN's website (if it doesn't pop up, click on each of the red links). From Amy Wellborn:

"he is, very pointedly, teaching the bishops how to be pastors. You cannot watch these people speak of their past suffering and what the Pope listening to them today accomplished without hoping and praying that in humility, those of his fellow pastors who have refused to listen and instead dedicated inestimable resources to re-victimizing victims are watching and learning from him.

And perhaps feeling something. A word Benedict has used time and time again these past days.

Shame

Friends from Steubenville might remember another very pastoral, loving man of God who worked tirelessly to bring some semblance of justice to a similar, yet less devastated group of Catholics.

A Snippet for Mary Margaret

This is a beautiful story for all, but especially for my sweetie Mary...

"A priest once asked her not how she does it, but why -- for 23 years, when she could have been elsewhere, when much of her flock cannot pray, or dance or sing. Where else, she asked him, could she walk each day among saints?"

Make sure to check out the video.

Thank you, Lord...

"Pope Benedict XVI held an unscheduled meeting with victims of priestly sexual abuse, shortly after pledging the church’s continued efforts to help heal the wounds caused by such acts.

The Vatican said the pope met privately in a chapel at the apostolic nunciature with “a small group of persons who were sexually abused by members of the clergy.” The group was accompanied by Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, the epicenter of the abuse scandal.

“They prayed with the Holy Father, who afterward listened to their personal accounts and offered them words of encouragement and hope,” a Vatican statement said.

“His Holiness assured them of his prayers for their intentions, for their families and for all victims of sexual abuse,” it said."

G. K.

I pretty much can't publish an entry without a picture anymore. So here's one of a man who is going to be a favorite author of mine once I read many of his 100 books. Chris and I went to a lecture at TU presented by the President of the Chesterton Society called, "The Intoxication of Existence: G.K. Chesterton and the Purpose of Existence." Chris had recently read his first Chesterton book and was speaking so highly of him, we both wanted to learn more. The lecture was fascinating and I think I'm in love. Chesterton was filled with joy and had a beautiful outlook on life. I wrote down some (not 100% accurate) quotes, so I'll share them with you:

"The reformer is always right about what is wrong. He is generally wrong about what is right."

"Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision."

"If there were no God, there would be no atheists."

"I'm not absent minded, just present-minded about something else."

"The things that make us most human are divine things, including imagination."

"Giving thanks is the highest form of thought."

"We should feel the intoxication of existence; it's a miracle that we are here at all because we could have easily not been."

"When we are close to God our art is full of eternity, with universal and everlasting appeal."

"The incarnation is the essence of all art; the love of God expressed perfectly."

"Good imagination restores, bad imagination destroys."

"There are times in Church history when the Church was wedded to the world, but she was always widowed... At times the Church has been dead, but it has a God who knows His way out of the grave."

Theresa's House

Chris and I are in Oakland at Theresa's home. We'll be joined by Mary later tonight. We're all here to celebrate Theresa's confirmation at the Easter Vigil :)
Right now T is at work and we're waiting for our oatmeal to cool. I love her apartment, it's very peaceful, warm, and...Theresa. Tonight one of Theresa's good friends will be hosting a passover meal as a Noble tradition. We brought our seder prayer books, and our Holy Thursday cup and plate (garage sale finds - both with the Last Supper on them, each at a different sale). Later today Chris and I are going to take a walk to T's church to see if it's open for prayer and then for a walk by the lake.
Love you all! Have a Blessed Holy Week!

A Wonderful Day

What a wonderful day. Actually even work was great. Then after work I met Chris and Sarah at Mass. Afterwards the three of us met our dear friends Skip and Frances Whitehurst for dinner (at Caz's Chowhouse - only in OK!). Intellectual stimulation for the whole evening. Beginning with dinner and talk about grammar, kids, education, and, well, um, TV shows . Then Sarah left for work and the four of us went to the Tulsa Gridiron. I had never gone before and neither had the Whitehursts, but we decided then and there to meet every year at the same place (but go to a better place for dinner!). It was absolutely hilarious, as good or better than the best Saturday Night Live skits. It consisted of musical mostly political parodies set to popular songs.
Some of my favorites...five people walking out onto a dark stage wrapped in blankets with flashlights lighting their faces and then singing to the tune of California's dreamin, "All the limbs are down, and the candles glow. I've been in the dark thanks to PSO. I'd be safe and warm if I weren't in OK. Power's for the dreamin' on such a wintry day."
Another favorite sung to the tune of "It's Not Easy Being Green - Kermit's song", called Ode to Obama. "It's not easy being green. Having to spend each day the resident rookie. When I think it could be so much nicer being white, a woman, or old, or something much more electable like that."
Then I came home to find that Sarah had cleaned the downstairs and had beautiful spiritual instrumentals playing. And I have most of tomorrow off. Sigh.

Pink Bikes!

Sarah is home for Spring Break. When she comes home activity begins. We usually exercise by "dancing like no one's watching" in the living room. That's fun. But yesterday she had another idea. Let's go bicycling at Riverside Park with the Free Pink Bikes. So cool and unlike Tulsa (I love Tulsa but I swear they can be frustrating when it comes to being...well, anything like Denver!).
We just used our credit card to release the bikes and there was no charge. There were plenty to choose from and they're well maintained so the bikes were a breeze (literally!) to ride. It was close to 70 degrees yesterday and sunny. We rode FOUR MILES! What a beautiful way to end the day!!! Thank you, Sar Bear!!

What should the Pope say?

Halleluia! The question I've been waiting for was asked by a Catholic publication - America. What should the Pope say when he visits America? Here is the answer I submitted:

I would find it difficult to accept if the Pope did not speak DIRECTLY about the sex abuse crisis. As a faithful Catholic I need to hear him say, on behalf of the Church,

"To those Catholics who have been devastated by the sins of those who claimed to represent Christ, an apology from me as your Shepherd is required by justice and charity, but seems to be wholly inadequate. Nothing I say will remove the grievous harm that was caused to those of you who trusted in your priests and whose innocence was ravaged. I pray, though, that my profound mourning and heart felt sorrow on behalf of Mother Church, by the grace of God will settle upon each of you as a soothing balm for your grieving souls."

No Country for Old Men

Well, we did actually see No Country for Old Men after all. Very interesting. As I expected from the Coen Brothers - extremely well crafted. But if I had it to do over again I wouldn't go see it.

The Coens and Javier Bardem, who played the serial killer, portrayed evil in such a masterful way it was unsettling. And the message was that evil is powerful and unstoppable. Also unsettling. Despairing, too, but for the very last sequence where Tommy Lee Jones recounts a dream. That's where the hope was - but only hope in a heavenly way. Earth was left to evil.

So. Needless to say, you wouldn't want to bring the kiddos, but it wasn't as bad as Gone Baby Gone - Chris and I were trying to figure out if that movie was more or less depressing than Deer Hunter!

Who Wants to Move to Denver?

I just spent a day in Denver with 4 co-workers. We were all here for a meeting and our boss let us take an extra day for "team building" (we decided it was our version of the executive golf outing).
We rode the Ski Train up to Winter Park and spent the day shopping, eating and generally having a great time. We laughed so hard my cheeks hurt!
I was also able to go to Mass during the week at the most beautiful church - The Church of the Holy Ghost in downtown Denver. Here is a picture of it, which doesn't begin to do it justice. I gasped when I walked in because it's so beautiful - rich, dark wood throughout - especially behind the altar.
Downtown Denver is amazing. People walking around at all hours, a free trolley that goes up and down the main street, which is an enormous outdoor mall. And here's something I saw this trip for the first time.

It's the Denver Convention Center. Sure beats our Tulsa Driller!

Flamingos on their Heads

This is a picture of the wonderful guy who lives in the Tulsa area who was rumored to show up at our 100 year celebration party for my employer Williams. And. Well. It was a rumor.

He tends to do cool things like that so the rumor wasn't a crazy one. What was sad was the really wonderful party that was put on, but some of us were disappointed who had heard the rumor! They had it on the first two floors of our building...
which I wasn't really thrilled about until they started setting up for it and everyone started buzzing (that's probably where the rumor started). Then we got there and the number 100 was lit up with window lights on the building, there were search lights, and the two floors were transformed into a lovely entertainment area with food and drink stations throughout, a karaoke game, live non-Garth music, people walking around with flamingos on their heads (you had to be there). We had a great time. And because people were walking around the whole time rather than sitting together at large tables, Chris ended up meeting everyone I work with.

Yesterday we spent part of the day at the Holland Hall book fair - wow was that a good time! 1000's of books. Then we came home and read in front of the fire :) Last night we tried to go see No Country for Old Men but the projector was broken at the theater so we came home instead and we're going this afternoon. I want to see it before the Oscars tonight so I know more about it. I love the Oscars. I think the only time I've missed it in over 35 years is when The Passion was snubbed and I boycotted (I bet they missed me too!).

Carolina Moon Keeps Shining

I found out last night that my sweet, wonderful goddaughter / niece is engaged to a wonderful man - the love of her life.

CONGRATULATIONS CAROLINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiness - A Quite Unmerited Gift

Excuse the loooonnnngggg post, but yesterday one of my kids was telling me about how difficult it was to hear about the sins of the Catholic Church. We talked about it for awhile, with me offering my inadequate response that the church is like a person who has sinned, who has a sad history, just like all of us. Well, today I heard Fr. Groeschel mention that Benedict XVI (when he was Joseph Ratzinger) addressed just this point in "An Introduction to Christianity". When I asked Chris if we had a copy tonight he said, "Yes, it's in Liz's car." Well, here it is - so timely considering the sex scandals, but written before they came to light. It's long, but well worth it... (love you, kiddo!)

The Second Vatican Council itself ventured to the point of speaking no longer of merely the holy Church, but of the sinful Church, and the only reproach it incurred was that of still being far too timorous; so deeply aware are we all of the sinfulness of the Church...The centuries of the Church's history are so filled with human failure that we can quite understand Dante's ghastly vision of the Babylonian whore sitting in the Church's chariot; and the dreadful words of William of Auvergne, Bishop of Paris in the 13th century... that the barbarism of the Church must make everyone who saw it go rigid with horror: "Bride is she no more, but a monster of frightful ugliness and ferocity."

There is no theory in existence which could refute such ideas by mere reason, just as conversely these ideas themselves do not proceed from mere reason but from the bitterness of a heart which may perhaps have been disappointed in its high hopes and now, in the pain of wronged love, can see only the destruction of its hopes. How, then, are we to reply? In the last analysis one can only confess why one can still love this Church in faith, why one still dares to recognize in the distorted features the countenance of the holy Church. Nevertheless, let us start from the objective elements. ..the word "holy" does not apply in the first place to the holiness of human persons but refers to the divine gift which bestows holiness in the midst of human unholiness. The church is not called "holy" in the Creed because its members, collectively and individually, are holy, sinless men - this dream, which appears afresh in each century, has no place in the waking world of our text, however movingly it may express a human longing which man will never abandon until a new heaven and a new earth really grant him what this age will never give him.

Even at this point we can say that the sharpest critics of the Church in our time secretly live on this dream and, when they find it disappointed, bang the door of the house shut again and denounce it as a deceit. But to return to our argument, the holiness of the Church consists in that power of sanctification which God exerts in it in spite of human sinfulness...grace which abides even in face of man's unfaithfulness.

...But it is really and truly the holiness of the Lord that becomes present in it and that chooses again and again as the vessel of its presence - with a paradoxical love - the dirty hands of men. It is holiness that radiates as the holiness of Christ from the midst of the Church's sin...The existing interplay of God's loyalty and man's disloyalty which characterizes the structure of the Church is grace in dramatic form...

Let us go a step further. In the human dream of a perfect world, a holiness is always visualized as untouchability by sin and evil, as something unmixed with the latter... the aspect of Christ's holiness that upset his contemporaries was the complete absence of (a) condemnatory note - fire did not fall on the unworthy... On the contrary, this holiness expressed itself precisely as mingling with the sinners whom Jesus drew into his vicinity; as mingling to the point where he himself was made "to be sin" and bore the curse of the law in execution as a criminal - complete community of fate with the lost. He has drawn sin to himself, made it his lot and so revealed what true "holiness" is - not separation but union, not judgment, but redeeming love. Is the church not simply the continuation of God's deliberate plunge into human wretchedness; is it not simply the continuation of Jesus' habit of sitting at table with sinners, of his mingling with the misery of sin to the point where he actually seems to sink under its weight?

Only he who has experienced how, regardless of changes in her ministers and forms, the church raises men up, gives them a home and a hope, a home that is hope - the path to eternal life - only he who has experienced this knows what the Church is, both in days gone by and now...A slammed door can, it is true, become a sign that shakes up those inside. But the idea that one can do more in isolation than in fellowship with others is just as much of an illusion as the notion of a church of "holy people", instead of a "holy Church" that is holy because the Lord bestows holiness on her as a quite unmerited gift.

The First Week of Lent

On Theresa's blog she mentioned that Sarah called to wish me a "Happy Ash Wednesday". I love that. I think she's the one who, when a friend asked her what her favorite holiday was answered "Good Friday".

I know why. It's the richness, the depth, the beauty of the liturgy. Again, as Theresa said, this year she "entering into the liturgical rhythm of the church" as Lent begins.

Already it's been such a blessing for me. It's there for us all - a deeper connection to God, a richer understanding of our mortality, a humility that comes from his gentle conviction (when we expected harsh condemnation) - all we have to do is enter into the quieter, more relective "rhythm".

This is so cool...

Now, first you have to watch the Super Bowl commercial below. OK, done? Now watch this one - it must be the result of a flash mob.

My Favorite Super Bowl Commercial

So Cute!

Super Saturday and counting...

Chris and I went to dinner last night with Tim and Leslie Wells. We left the restaurant thinking 2 hours had gone by when it was really 3 1/2. We had so much fun and laughed so hard the time just flew. Leslie and I talked about how returning to work while kids are still at home is a major adjustment. And what usually ends up getting affected are friendships. I suppose that's better than the kids getting neglected, but I don't want that to happen any longer now that I have more time.

I read a really interesting article in the Tulsa World today that gave me such hope. Booker T black male students have begun a group called Men of Power and they're speaking at KIPP and mentoring students. THAT should be broadly publicized. KIPP schools are another hopeful thing. I had the privilege of working with the staff a couple of years ago - they have an amazing vision.

And another interesting article on the Clintons vs. Obama. This Tuesday will be fun, especially since OK is one of the Super Tuesday states.

I Love Elections

I watched my first conventions (from gavel to gavel) when I was in kindegarten. I remember back then nominations were often so close we didn't know who was going to be nominated until the convention actually took place. And I think we have these types of nominations again - at least on the Democratic side.

I'm not a Hilary fan. I wish Obama had a different stand on a number of issues because I really like his leadership style. I usually vote Republican but the first time I voted that way was in 1980 and Chris had to hold my hand while I checked the name on the absentee ballot - it was traumatic :) I call myself a radical moderate. I'm so tired of the hateful rhetoric on both sides, that I'm in a way intolerant myself! I'm also very purple. Anti-death-penalty, pro-life, anti-war, anti-big-government, pro-traditional-marriage - purple and proud of it.

But anyway, back to the election - and especially Hilary. She's really screwing up - which is so interesting to watch because I've always seen the Clintons as VERY politically savvy. Bill is playing WAY too large a role - even if he was 100% loved by all Americans his role is too large for a former president who is trying to place his wife in the spotlight for her own election. This political cartoon captured what I was thinking so perfectly.



What are they thinking? Plus she's been attacking Obama with the silliest things - like for saying something positive about Reagan. When people see a politician slinging such impotent arrows they end up knowing more about the slinger than the target. Another screw up... she's airing an ad in Oklahoma that criticizes Bush's connection to the big bad oil companies! I predict that will play well with about 10% of the population here.

Anyway, expect more politics as the months go on because it's fascinating me like it hasn't in years. I can't wait to see how silly Guiliani does in Florida - what was HE thinking???

Love you all!

The Kiddos (with sweetie pie!)

I love this picture. Lisa sent it. Thanks, Lisa!

Moms

See my friend Lisa's wonderful tribute to her mom on her blog.

It made me think of my mom and how much I love her and miss her. She would be SO proud of all her children and grandchildren. Love you, Mom!

Also - to those who enjoyed the story about St. Josephine - see the quote from Pope Benedict that I added to the post.

Patience

Chris and I were just talking last night about how we won't need patience in heaven. Because God's actions will not seem "slow" to us. We'll be totally in sync with Him and His will.

But Lord, I sure need patience on earth. This took WAY TOO LONG...

St. Josephine Bakhita

Read a beautiful story about how this saint inspired a white supremacist murderer on death row to become a devout Catholic who now leads other prisoners to raise money for children in Sudan.

Added on January 12:
I'm reading "Spe Salvi", Pope Benedict's encyclical on hope and came across a beautiful passage about St. Josephine:

He tells about her horrible encounters with cruel masters since she was 9 years old, and then...

"Up to that time she had known only masters who despised and maltreated her, or at best considered her a useful slave. Now, however, she heard that there is a “paron” above all masters, the Lord of all lords, and that this Lord is good, goodness in person. She came to know that this Lord even knew her, that he had created her—that he actually loved her. She too was loved, and by none other than the supreme “Paron”, before whom all other masters are themselves no more than lowly servants. She was known and loved and she was awaited. What is more, this master had himself accepted the destiny of being flogged and now he was waiting for her “at the Father's right hand”. Now she had “hope” —no longer simply the modest hope of finding masters who would be less cruel, but the great hope: “I am definitively loved and whatever happens to me—I am awaited by this Love. And so my life is good.”

Sooner or Later

Our poor Sooners (Univ of OK) lost their Bowl game last night. I'm sitting here at work and it feels like I walked into a funeral home. One co-worker said he thought about taking a bereavement day today. Like Chris said, it's not "just football" in Oklahoma.

I am inspired by Mary Ellen's camping plans for the year. I was thinking just yesterday that this might be the first time we actually plan our days off at the beginning of the year. Last year I kind of accidentally lost some and THAT is not acceptable.

Have a wonderful day y'all (including those in mourning).