Three year olds and Mass

I took Liv to noon Mass the other day.  Everything went pretty well.  The church is really old and beautiful and of course with that comes amazing acoustics.  It feels like every noise, sound and creak she makes is amplified by 1000.  I mean it's hard enough taking a 3 year old to church when the place is full (like on Sundays) but during the week, daily Mass can be a little stressful.

Now I have to say, she did really well.  For the most part I can get her to sit and kneel.  She will play with her baby doll or sit in my lap.  But truth be told she is three and she squirms. I am working on it.  But let me tell you what doesn't help.  It does not help when there is a lady a few rows in front of you who seems highly annoyed by our presence.  Liv did have a little coat issue, 'Mom take off my coat.' 'Hold on Liv'.  'Moomm, my coat.'  It was at this point that the woman thought it would help the situation by turning around and giving us a look like Liv had just did a flip in the pews.  I couldn't believe it.  Then I realized that not everyone is blessed with the love and patience a mother must have with her three year old.  And I prayed that I could just 'let it go' and God is faithful.  It only got worse when Communion came and the lady moved a few more pews away.  I mean, moved her coat and everything.  

But don't think we won't be back to daily Mass because we will.  And don't think that this is the last of my three year old making noise.  It's bound to happen again. 

Lesson learned:  Sit toward the back?  No, take Liv's coat off right away! :)

Tebow Part II

Found this article on Tim Tebow and wanted to share it with you all. This article is AMAZING! Take a minute to read Sally Jenkin's thought as she writes for the Washington Post. The irony of this article is that the writer is actually pro-abortion ( or choice as she puts it). But her response to Tebow's commercial celebrating FAMILY is beautifully written. Did you know that in the actual ad 'abortion' is never even mentioned? NOW, the National Organization of Women has made many a statement about the inappropriateness of this message. What message? That family should be celebrated? NOW should really stop and look at what they are fighting against. If there is one thing we should all agree on, it's that the family unit is the basis of our society. And it should DEFINITELY be celebrated.



As Jenkins comments, Tebow has every bit of a right to share his point of view. And in a day and age when most celebrities are living lives filled with moral atrocities it is quite refreshing to hear a celebrity speak out positively about something moral. I am so proud that there is an individual out there who is in a position of such power and has chosen to use that power to bring more people to Christ. THAT is what it is all about. I will definitely be praying for Tebow and for the positive effect his commercial may have on our fallen society.

 

Prayers please

Hello MCM's,

I was hoping that you wonderful men and women would keep my mom Nancy in your prayers.  Her doctor found a spot on her pancreas and they are beginning the process to see what is going on.  We lost my dad to lung cancer 4 years ago and my mom had dealt with advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder for quite a few years now.  My sisters and I are praying for a miracle.  Please join our efforts.

Thank you!!!!

Hasbro markets oujia board to children

Come on.  Marketing  oujia boards to young girls?  Can this be more ridiculous?  I first read about this at 'A Blessed Life.'   The full article can be found here at Johnnette Benkovic's Blog.

He found an ad for the toy on the Toys R Us website which proudly proclaimed: “ . . .  (N)ow the OUIJA Board is just for you, girl.” The new flashy pink board comes with 72 questions to ask the board, a carrying case with storage pockets and instructions for how to use it to contact the dead. “Make up your own questions, and let the OUIJA Board satisfy your curiosity in virtually endless ways,” the site says. “OUIJA Board will answer. It’s just a game - or is it?”

If you would like to join the boycott against Hasbro go here.

Jehovah's Witnesses and my broken down car

I was having a particularly difficult day. Late for a meeting, I couldn't find my keys. I spent about 30 minutes trying to find them. The kiddos ran around in the garage while I tore through everything I could think to check. I was actually quite startled when I heard a woman’s voice ask if everything was alright. It was an older woman, dressed quite nice, coming to speak about Our personal Lord and Savior. I politely told her I was searching for my keys and to please say a prayer that I would find them. She left me some literature and continued on her way.  I found the keys shortly thereafter, put both kids in their car seats and learned quickly that the car was not going to start.

As I silently banged my head on the steering wheel I noticed the two nicely dressed people approaching my car. A moment of relief and of annoyance crossed over me. Don't get me wrong, I am one of those people that truly enjoys hearing about other faiths. It helps answer questions that I have and truly it helps to solidify my love for the Catholic faith. But I was just so overwhelmed and tired trying to get to this meeting.

They approached the car and asked if I needed a jump. Why yes, yes I did. So these two very nice people took quite a bit of time to help me jump my car and get on my way. They also provided me with some literature about Jehovah's Witnesses, which I welcomed.

The nice lady has been back quite a few times. I haven’t been here to greet her until this last visit. She asked how I was and if she could give me some more literature. I took the opportunity to share with her that I was a devout Catholic but at her request she was welcome to come back and talk.


I think I get that Jehovah's witnesses are very good about evangelization as the disciples did. I guess I am trying to figure out if she would be open to my questions challenging the validity of her faith. I would love to sit down with her and know what it is that makes her loved her faith so much. People with passion are inspiring! But mostly I feel like I will be wasting her time... knowing that all I really want to do is allow her to see the beauty of Catholicism.
 
I love that they are out in the world truly evangelizing. Isn’t that what we are all called to do? I want to respect her and the Jehovah faith enough to listen to her words. And yet I want to be prepared to share from my heart as well.

Has anyone had any experience with a situation like this one? And courteous advice? I know she will be back soon! :)

Pro-life Ad to be aired during the Superbowl

Tim Tebow has teamed up with Focus on the Family to create an ad that promotes life and family.  How beautiful is that?  With such a war on life in our world today, having a commercial that promotes that dignity of the human person rocks.  Way to go Tebow and Focus on the Family!