You know... the sweet cheeked girl who is celebrating with enthusiasm the idea that Little Brother's currently emmitted fart may have come either from 'hell' or a 'black hole'.
It's all about science and theology here.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
I Can Barely Keep Up This Week!
I am feeling SO overwhelmed trying to keep up. My house is a mess! I cant think straight. All I can offer for insight this week is a few pics. Enjoy!
Rescuer of Every Creature In Need...
A New Kitten!
New Kittens Come In Pairs!
Their names are Ravenpaw and Fireheart.
A Porch Is A Wonderful Thing
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Dreaming of Mary in the Cathedral of All Creation
I have pretty intense dreams. Some are more intense than others, and some stand out in particular. I often have a type of dream I think of as my "God" dreams... these are different than the average dream in that they seem so alive, so deep a part of my soul. When I have "God" dreams, I feel as though I am not the one generating the dream, even though it takes place in my mind. They seem bigger and deeper, and the imagery and events never fade.
Last night I had a God dream.
It took place in the Cathedral of All Creation, a universal sanctuary that encompassed all Trinitarian believers. In this dream, somehow I was given the gift of being Mary; her earthly and bodily representation. I appeared as Mary, I spoke as she, had her mannerisms and demeanor. All this on the outside. But on the inside, even though my heart was Mary's, I was filled with sin as Mary never was.
Everyone who saw me, saw me with the love and reverence of the Holy Mother. I was ever holding a white rose and scroll that confirmed my identity. No matter how sinful I was or felt, I could not shed the cloak of Our Mother, could not rid myself of the symbolic rose and scroll. This burden/blessing was granted me by a power far greater than me.
I processed at a great cathedral along with all the other saints, the angels, saints that had never been known, living religious, devout and faithful servants of the Lord. ALL saw me as Mary. I continued to know that inside I was only a sinner. My sins burned in my heart. I tried to hang my head in shame, but others only saw it as piety! Maddening that they didnt know what I was inside. As the others in procession were seated for this great Mass of the Church, I descreetly wandered into the hallway to find a room for privacy. I needed badly to let someone- anyone- know that I did not deserve to be so intimate with Mary's exisitence.
Even in my attempt to be descreet, I opened the hallway door to find that it did not lead where I thought. This attracted unwanted attention by 'my' or Mary's devotees, who rushed to me to assist me into a private room. I felt irritation and frustration. I judged the actions of the people helping me. As I did so, I knew Mary never would!
When I got to the room, where I hoped to be away from everyone, I discovered that I had two roommates who had taken the better beds. I was instantly jealous and angry, rejecting the people in the room. My thoughts and feelings on the inside were filled with judgements. Yet the people assisting me still saw me as perfectly faith-filled Mary.
A man came to interview me. He couldnt believe he was so fortunate to be able to interview the Mother of God! As he asked questions, my body and appearance remained serene and compassionate. But inside I was thinking what a pain in the butt this guy was!
During the interview, the dream shifted.
I was still, somehow, Mary. Now I was truly 'projecting' Mary inside of my body. But from the outside I no longer appeared as Mary! Everything in me had been overshadowed... or blinded by the light of goodness and purity... to the point where my ego no longer acted, but was completely submitted to Mary and her desire to love and serve God.
As the interview continued with this eager reporter, I softly interupted the man, leaned close and spoke. "I must tell you one thing." He paused to listen. "Pray." I whispered barely audibly, looking into his eyes.
But he could not receive the words. I saw in his face that he did not take me seriously, nor did he believe. Suddenly I was in the position of being Mary- sinless and perfect in faith- but nobody I was with would receive me. Every action and thought was pure and sinless; a complete message from God and a constant direction toward Christ. I served! And nobody knew me. Nobody knew my Son through me.
I left the room and found myself wandering in a city. I was no longer celebrated in a mass where nobody recognized me. There was a man at a shop who was overwhelmed with his duties. He was trying to fix some things in a back room, when I saw a mop and bucket sitting on a filthy floor. I immediately began to clean the floor. The man came to see what was going on and sees this strange woman mopping his floor! Service is all I can think. No judgements, just knowing to serve. As I finish the floor, I ask the man to pray with me. He doesnt know that Mary is speaking to him and just stares at me while I pray. Still, I have no judgement, but only compassion and an overwhelming sense of patience.
As I leave the building, a child is in the street about to be hit by a car. I pray and suddenly a man sees the danger, grabs the child and saves its life. Yet no one understands that God had been implored. Mary in me feels sad, but still patient.
At another building, a family is trying to make a home and a small business, but the building is too small. Mary in me understands the family's burden and trials. Again, I begin to pray and the building expanded its walls, growing larger. The family is happy, but doesnt seem to understand that a greater power has cared for them.
All my experiences at this point show me how patient and undaunted Mary is in her unending compassion. All she wants is to direct the people toward her Son. Yes, she is sad, but never condemning. She makes herself known, yet people refuse to know her. There is a loneliness in being Mary. She is so close to her Son and to God. But her humanness fills her with desire to gather all of God's people, and her humanness feels sadness when they do not come. Yet, human though she is, she is sinless in how she loves us! Amazing!
It is very likely my dream is filled with heresy. How do I know! But this is the kind of dream I have and it was very meaningful to me.
Last night I had a God dream.
Madonna of the Streets ~ Ferruzzi
It took place in the Cathedral of All Creation, a universal sanctuary that encompassed all Trinitarian believers. In this dream, somehow I was given the gift of being Mary; her earthly and bodily representation. I appeared as Mary, I spoke as she, had her mannerisms and demeanor. All this on the outside. But on the inside, even though my heart was Mary's, I was filled with sin as Mary never was.
Everyone who saw me, saw me with the love and reverence of the Holy Mother. I was ever holding a white rose and scroll that confirmed my identity. No matter how sinful I was or felt, I could not shed the cloak of Our Mother, could not rid myself of the symbolic rose and scroll. This burden/blessing was granted me by a power far greater than me.
I processed at a great cathedral along with all the other saints, the angels, saints that had never been known, living religious, devout and faithful servants of the Lord. ALL saw me as Mary. I continued to know that inside I was only a sinner. My sins burned in my heart. I tried to hang my head in shame, but others only saw it as piety! Maddening that they didnt know what I was inside. As the others in procession were seated for this great Mass of the Church, I descreetly wandered into the hallway to find a room for privacy. I needed badly to let someone- anyone- know that I did not deserve to be so intimate with Mary's exisitence.
Even in my attempt to be descreet, I opened the hallway door to find that it did not lead where I thought. This attracted unwanted attention by 'my' or Mary's devotees, who rushed to me to assist me into a private room. I felt irritation and frustration. I judged the actions of the people helping me. As I did so, I knew Mary never would!
When I got to the room, where I hoped to be away from everyone, I discovered that I had two roommates who had taken the better beds. I was instantly jealous and angry, rejecting the people in the room. My thoughts and feelings on the inside were filled with judgements. Yet the people assisting me still saw me as perfectly faith-filled Mary.
A man came to interview me. He couldnt believe he was so fortunate to be able to interview the Mother of God! As he asked questions, my body and appearance remained serene and compassionate. But inside I was thinking what a pain in the butt this guy was!
During the interview, the dream shifted.
I was still, somehow, Mary. Now I was truly 'projecting' Mary inside of my body. But from the outside I no longer appeared as Mary! Everything in me had been overshadowed... or blinded by the light of goodness and purity... to the point where my ego no longer acted, but was completely submitted to Mary and her desire to love and serve God.
As the interview continued with this eager reporter, I softly interupted the man, leaned close and spoke. "I must tell you one thing." He paused to listen. "Pray." I whispered barely audibly, looking into his eyes.
But he could not receive the words. I saw in his face that he did not take me seriously, nor did he believe. Suddenly I was in the position of being Mary- sinless and perfect in faith- but nobody I was with would receive me. Every action and thought was pure and sinless; a complete message from God and a constant direction toward Christ. I served! And nobody knew me. Nobody knew my Son through me.
I left the room and found myself wandering in a city. I was no longer celebrated in a mass where nobody recognized me. There was a man at a shop who was overwhelmed with his duties. He was trying to fix some things in a back room, when I saw a mop and bucket sitting on a filthy floor. I immediately began to clean the floor. The man came to see what was going on and sees this strange woman mopping his floor! Service is all I can think. No judgements, just knowing to serve. As I finish the floor, I ask the man to pray with me. He doesnt know that Mary is speaking to him and just stares at me while I pray. Still, I have no judgement, but only compassion and an overwhelming sense of patience.
As I leave the building, a child is in the street about to be hit by a car. I pray and suddenly a man sees the danger, grabs the child and saves its life. Yet no one understands that God had been implored. Mary in me feels sad, but still patient.
At another building, a family is trying to make a home and a small business, but the building is too small. Mary in me understands the family's burden and trials. Again, I begin to pray and the building expanded its walls, growing larger. The family is happy, but doesnt seem to understand that a greater power has cared for them.
All my experiences at this point show me how patient and undaunted Mary is in her unending compassion. All she wants is to direct the people toward her Son. Yes, she is sad, but never condemning. She makes herself known, yet people refuse to know her. There is a loneliness in being Mary. She is so close to her Son and to God. But her humanness fills her with desire to gather all of God's people, and her humanness feels sadness when they do not come. Yet, human though she is, she is sinless in how she loves us! Amazing!
It is very likely my dream is filled with heresy. How do I know! But this is the kind of dream I have and it was very meaningful to me.
Consecration To Mary, Our Mother Too
I just LOVE this icon. Someday, I will buy it. :)
This month our family is praying and contemplating our consecration to Mary, Our Blessed Mother. We are SO fortunate to have a religious community nearby, where the sisters are organizing a consecration. They have recommended that we focus on four things this month, one topic per week.
From the sisters' recommendation, I made up this prayer banner.
Click pic to enlarge!
The sisters suggested we focus on one thing each week, during the month of preparation for consecration. (Whew! What a mouthful!)
Week One: Service
Week Two: FIAT! Obedience
Week Three: Thanksgiving
Week Four: Adoration
The children and I said an extra prayer each night in addition to our usual Hail Mary, Our Father, Guardian Angel, Glory Be, and God Bless___. This prayer was written by one of the sisters several years ago, but is a favorite of mine:
Oh Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Be my mother too.
Help me every day
to do what you would do.
Here is my heart,
My hands,
My mind...
All I am I give to you!
Oh Mary, Mother of Jesus,
Be my mother too.
I asked Big Sis what we were giving to Mary when we say that prayer, and she responded, "Everything we are so that Mary can lead us to Jesus' love!"
The consecration was amazing. It took/takes place on May 31st. (Since I am editing this post, I am writing an update as well) When I have more time, I will try to post on this glorious and joyful event!
Friday, May 21, 2010
May Day at the Community Garden
There is a good chance that you will never see my daughter enthusiastically eating fresh spinach like this again.
There is something about growing your own vegies that makes 'em taste better! This summer we are tackling our vegie consumption from two directions. The first, and easy way to boost our enthusiasm for vegies is through a subcription to a local CSA, Broadbranch Farm. When we lived in the country, we enjoyed the weekly drive to pick up organically grown vegies from Broadbranch. The kids got to play with the farm owner's kids, chasing chickens and climbing fences and trees. Now that we live in town, we can still get a vegie box, delivered to our neighborhood. Not the same, but still good.
Our second strategy to get good, fresh and organic vegies is to grow them ourselves. Recently our city started an initiative to support community gardening in every neighborhood. Somehow I got wrangled into the planning meetings and secured a couple of plots for our homeschool! The kids and I really enjoy gardening with other neighborhood folks, seeing what others are growing, and learning about new methods from our new friends. Community gardening doesnt just grow food, but also community!
For Little Brother, gardening is a wee-bit-too structured. He did spend quite a bit of time planting and watering, and digging in the dirt. But mostly, he loves the small grove of pines along the fence.
The ribbon cutting by neighborhood homeschoolers...kind of hard with a garden shears!
We HAD to incorporate some science. On the near side of the table is a contraption that makes seed pots from newspaper. A friend used this pot maker for an Atrium camp last summer. You have to plant seeds when thinking about the parable of the mustard seed. She was kind to lend it to me for the day. Many children got to plant green beans to take home or to plant in their garden plot that same day.
On the far side of the table are two jars with two types of soil. One has compost and one has ordinary dirt. By putting the soil in the jar full of water, shaking and then letting settle, one can clearly see the difference between the two types of soil. The ordinary soil has a lot of clay, and compacts very densley. But the compost has gobs of organic material that floats to the top of the water, the water itself never looses the compost tea look, and the material that settles to the bottom is loose and beautiful brown. It almost looks like coffee grounds.
Two short films by Big Sister:
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