On Tuesday, I was invited to attend the Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Charleston. I had never been to a Chrism Mass before and I was looking forward to it. It was truly a beautiful mass.
At first, since my husband was not there, I was nervous about where to sit. Some people have called me an extrovert, but at times like these, I am the biggest introvert there is. I hopscotched my way from pew to pew. The first one being directly behind a pillar (not good). I settled myself one pew in front of a Sister from the Daughters of Paul. Then I looked over and one pew in front of me was my dear friend "C". So I got up and switched again. It was like Musical Pews. But, I felt comfortable with her. She veils like I do. I loved looking around at all the veils. Mostly the Hispanic or Oriental women were wearing veils but there were quite a few white women wearing them.
While the Mass was beautiful my experience began while getting in line for Communion. At the present time, I am not allowed to receive communion. This is due to my marrying outside the church due to my own personal reasons which I will not get into on this board. So for the mean time, my DH and I must wait until October before our marriage can be convalidated and we can receive the body and blood of Christ again. So anyways, I decided to go up for a blessing. I went in line with everyone else, while the man before me was receiving, I genuflected (like Always) and stood before our Bishop (one of my bosses by-the-way) and immediately crossed my arms. He said "oh, okay" and proceeded to lay his hand upon my head and give me a blessing. I returned quickly to my pew. Why? Because I was shaking. I knelt and my arms and legs were shaking and were so weak. I can not describe it. I started crying, I could not control it. Over and over in my head I kept thinking (involuntarily)"Thank You!", "Thank You!", "Thank You!" Over and over this went through my head. I turned and quietly asked "C" for a tissue. She looked at me and she had been crying!
Later that afternoon, we stopped after work and chatted. "C" and I had the exact same experience! She was crying and couldn't stop and the "Thank Yous" were going through her head as well.
God really touched us through Bishop Baker. It was a most humbling and jubilant experience. I have been for blessing s before (while I was in the RCIA program- and a few since getting married) but this one surpasses them all!
God bless Bishop Baker and the priests of our beautiful Diocese of Charleston.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
"Because of the Angels..."
I have SO many thoughts I want to share and SO little time. So please bear with me as I try to bring out all of my thoughts! Especially on yesterday's Chrism Mass.
So I have been doing more and more research on headcovering and have been increasingly obedient to it. I have worn my snood to work every single day since Joe and I had a conversation regarding it. I have taken it off occasionally at home - but only when I am not likely to pray. I have tried wearing a kerchief to bed, but that usually comes off.
So I found some interesting information on the "Because of the Angels" statement in 1 Corinthians Chapter 11. Here is some info I found:
St. John Chrysostom (d. A.D. 407), in a sermon at the Feast of the Ascension, spoke both of angels and the veiling of women: "The angels are present here…Open the eyes of faith and look upon this sight. For if the very air is filled with angels, how much more so the Church! ...Hear the Apostle teaching this, when he bids the women to cover their heads with a veil because of the presence of the angels." Origen, another early Church Father, said, "There are angels in the midst of our assembly…we have here a twofold Church, one of men, the other of angels…And since there are angels present…women, when they pray, are ordered to have a covering upon their heads because of those angels. They assist the saints and rejoice in the Church." Instructions for catechumens in The Apostolic Tradition, probably written in the second century by St. Hippolytus of Rome, include this: "Moreover, let all the women have their heads veiled with a scarf…" And St. Cyril of Alexandria, commenting on I Corinthians, wrote: "The angels find it extremely hard to bear if this law [that women cover their heads] is disregarded."
Click Here For further information from that article.
Many women in the Catholic Church are coming back to wearing a veil. At yesterday's Chrism mass for the Diocese of Charleston, I was so happy to see so many women veiling.
For me, there is no longer a need to find out why to veil, but why veil "all the time. “My reason comes down to two things: 1. is Obedience. I am obedient to God and my headcovering is an outward full-time sign of that obedience, 2. is 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
If St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that "any woman who prays or prophesizes with her head unveiled disgraces her head" and in 1 Thessalonians that we should "pray without ceasing", why would we not wear a covering all the time? The first Christian women did veil all the time and for many centuries. There are carvings in the catacombs of Rome depicting these women. So why not veil fulltime? It is so much easier to have my covering on when I want to pray and not have to run and put one on. Yes, God answers prayers to women who are unveiled, but I think it gladdens His heart to see women who show their obedience to Him. Usually it comes down to pride and culturalization, but mostly to obedience when discerning on when to wear a covering full time. I have submitted myself to the Lord fully and completely and I rejoice in other women who do so.
A dear friend told me last week that I was “a head of her" on the path of veiling. She has been veiling for a year now and has been fighting the conviction to veil fulltime. But, dear Sisters in Christ, we are all on the path together and it is not a race. There are no winners or losers, only women who want to please their Lord and Savior. So "therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."1 Thessalonians 5:11
Blessings!
So I have been doing more and more research on headcovering and have been increasingly obedient to it. I have worn my snood to work every single day since Joe and I had a conversation regarding it. I have taken it off occasionally at home - but only when I am not likely to pray. I have tried wearing a kerchief to bed, but that usually comes off.
So I found some interesting information on the "Because of the Angels" statement in 1 Corinthians Chapter 11. Here is some info I found:
St. John Chrysostom (d. A.D. 407), in a sermon at the Feast of the Ascension, spoke both of angels and the veiling of women: "The angels are present here…Open the eyes of faith and look upon this sight. For if the very air is filled with angels, how much more so the Church! ...Hear the Apostle teaching this, when he bids the women to cover their heads with a veil because of the presence of the angels." Origen, another early Church Father, said, "There are angels in the midst of our assembly…we have here a twofold Church, one of men, the other of angels…And since there are angels present…women, when they pray, are ordered to have a covering upon their heads because of those angels. They assist the saints and rejoice in the Church." Instructions for catechumens in The Apostolic Tradition, probably written in the second century by St. Hippolytus of Rome, include this: "Moreover, let all the women have their heads veiled with a scarf…" And St. Cyril of Alexandria, commenting on I Corinthians, wrote: "The angels find it extremely hard to bear if this law [that women cover their heads] is disregarded."
Click Here For further information from that article.
Many women in the Catholic Church are coming back to wearing a veil. At yesterday's Chrism mass for the Diocese of Charleston, I was so happy to see so many women veiling.
For me, there is no longer a need to find out why to veil, but why veil "all the time. “My reason comes down to two things: 1. is Obedience. I am obedient to God and my headcovering is an outward full-time sign of that obedience, 2. is 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
If St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that "any woman who prays or prophesizes with her head unveiled disgraces her head" and in 1 Thessalonians that we should "pray without ceasing", why would we not wear a covering all the time? The first Christian women did veil all the time and for many centuries. There are carvings in the catacombs of Rome depicting these women. So why not veil fulltime? It is so much easier to have my covering on when I want to pray and not have to run and put one on. Yes, God answers prayers to women who are unveiled, but I think it gladdens His heart to see women who show their obedience to Him. Usually it comes down to pride and culturalization, but mostly to obedience when discerning on when to wear a covering full time. I have submitted myself to the Lord fully and completely and I rejoice in other women who do so.
A dear friend told me last week that I was “a head of her" on the path of veiling. She has been veiling for a year now and has been fighting the conviction to veil fulltime. But, dear Sisters in Christ, we are all on the path together and it is not a race. There are no winners or losers, only women who want to please their Lord and Savior. So "therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing."1 Thessalonians 5:11
Blessings!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
To Cover or Not to Cover.....That is the Question
Which has been plaguing me for some time. Actually - pretty close to two years. I began veiling for mass two years ago this coming Holy Week. Since then, I veil at every mass and every time I enter the Church. I also do not wear pants to mass - instead I wear dresses or long skirts.
For the past several months, I have been plagued with the desire to cover full time. Why cover? You ask? I'll get to that in a moment. This desire has been hampered by my own collateralization. Part of me wanted to veil and the other part said "Are you kidding?" So, I did what any good wife should do. I prayed about it, offered it up to God and my husband to decide.
Yes, that's right. I LEFT IT UP TO MY HUSBAND TO DECIDE. If you don't agree, pick up your Bible and go to Ephesians 5:22-24. "Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything." My husband and I actually wrote this into our marriage ceremony. We both believe that this is ESSENTIAL to a good marriage. Here is more scripture on the matter: Titus 2:3-5 "Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children,to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. " 1 Peter 3:1-6 "Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior. Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God. For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands; thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.1 Timothy 3:11Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. 1 Timothy 2:9-15 "Similarly, (too,) women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds. A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control." Colossians 3:18 "Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. " 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 " women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. "1 Corinthians 7:4 " A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. "
Several months ago I began praying and I told God that I would leave it up to him to decide my fate. Last night, we got home and went upstairs to begin our Evening Prayers (Vespers). I asked him what he wanted from me as a wife. Now, if you know Joe, then you know I got an entire sermon when all I wanted was a sentence. Going around and around - we finally got down to what had been lying in his heart - but he had been too afraid to ask/tell.
The same scripture that had been in my heart had been in his. 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 "But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil. A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; nor was man created for woman, but woman for man; for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord. For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him, whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been given (her) for a covering? But if anyone is inclined to be argumentative, we do not have such a custom, nor do the churches of God."
Wow. Pretty powerful stuff. Joe and I sat down and he laid out how I should dress. Long skirts or dresses. I can have three pairs of pants which are to only be worn at home and only in front of family and very close friends. These can be used to work in the yard with - and the occasional trip to Lowe's. Skirts can not come above the knee while sitting. I have two outfits where exception has been made and these are to be worn only around family. My hair is to be worn up under a prayer covering of some type. We are deciding now what those will be. It was going to be only while I was out, but upon further reflection, it will be when I am at home as well. I may uncover at home, but to pray, I must cover again. For formal occasions or special occasions, he may ask that I wear my hair down and style it. I may wear sleeveless dresses only while in the presence of my husband and only ones that he has approved of. As for makeup - I am not to look like a "painted lady" and may use some to look "natural" and enhance certain features.
We went through my dresses last night and I have gotten rid of four or five as they did not meet his expectations. I have ordered a dozen snoods in different colors. I can't wait to get these. I began wearing a veil last night to bed. I wore a kerchief that I tied up. Today I am wearing a black snood that I sometimes have worn to mass. We decided that my Chapel Veils are not suitable to be worn everyday but I will continue to wear them at mass.
Here are some interesting websites to view more information on covering and the different types of covering available.
Blessings.
Expage - HeadcoveringThis site has lots of links to various covering webpages
Let Her be Veiled - An in-depth study of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 A great book which has now been published on the web!
More will be published later but a Google search on Prayer Coverings, Christian Coverings, etc.. Will result in a wealth of knowledge.
For the past several months, I have been plagued with the desire to cover full time. Why cover? You ask? I'll get to that in a moment. This desire has been hampered by my own collateralization. Part of me wanted to veil and the other part said "Are you kidding?" So, I did what any good wife should do. I prayed about it, offered it up to God and my husband to decide.
Yes, that's right. I LEFT IT UP TO MY HUSBAND TO DECIDE. If you don't agree, pick up your Bible and go to Ephesians 5:22-24. "Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything." My husband and I actually wrote this into our marriage ceremony. We both believe that this is ESSENTIAL to a good marriage. Here is more scripture on the matter: Titus 2:3-5 "Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children,to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. " 1 Peter 3:1-6 "Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior. Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God. For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands; thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.1 Timothy 3:11Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. 1 Timothy 2:9-15 "Similarly, (too,) women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds. A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control." Colossians 3:18 "Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. " 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 " women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. "1 Corinthians 7:4 " A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife. "
Several months ago I began praying and I told God that I would leave it up to him to decide my fate. Last night, we got home and went upstairs to begin our Evening Prayers (Vespers). I asked him what he wanted from me as a wife. Now, if you know Joe, then you know I got an entire sermon when all I wanted was a sentence. Going around and around - we finally got down to what had been lying in his heart - but he had been too afraid to ask/tell.
The same scripture that had been in my heart had been in his. 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 "But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame upon his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved. For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil. A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; nor was man created for woman, but woman for man; for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord. For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears his hair long it is a disgrace to him, whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been given (her) for a covering? But if anyone is inclined to be argumentative, we do not have such a custom, nor do the churches of God."
Wow. Pretty powerful stuff. Joe and I sat down and he laid out how I should dress. Long skirts or dresses. I can have three pairs of pants which are to only be worn at home and only in front of family and very close friends. These can be used to work in the yard with - and the occasional trip to Lowe's. Skirts can not come above the knee while sitting. I have two outfits where exception has been made and these are to be worn only around family. My hair is to be worn up under a prayer covering of some type. We are deciding now what those will be. It was going to be only while I was out, but upon further reflection, it will be when I am at home as well. I may uncover at home, but to pray, I must cover again. For formal occasions or special occasions, he may ask that I wear my hair down and style it. I may wear sleeveless dresses only while in the presence of my husband and only ones that he has approved of. As for makeup - I am not to look like a "painted lady" and may use some to look "natural" and enhance certain features.
We went through my dresses last night and I have gotten rid of four or five as they did not meet his expectations. I have ordered a dozen snoods in different colors. I can't wait to get these. I began wearing a veil last night to bed. I wore a kerchief that I tied up. Today I am wearing a black snood that I sometimes have worn to mass. We decided that my Chapel Veils are not suitable to be worn everyday but I will continue to wear them at mass.
Here are some interesting websites to view more information on covering and the different types of covering available.
Blessings.
Expage - HeadcoveringThis site has lots of links to various covering webpages
Let Her be Veiled - An in-depth study of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 A great book which has now been published on the web!
More will be published later but a Google search on Prayer Coverings, Christian Coverings, etc.. Will result in a wealth of knowledge.
Will Kidman wed Urban in Catholic church?
By Jeannette Walls
MSNBC
Updated: 2:43 a.m. ET April 4, 2006
Will Nicole Kidman get a church wedding?
The actress, a devout Catholic, has had her marriage to Tom Cruise annulled so she can marry her sweetie Keith Urban in a religious ceremony, according to reports coming from her homeland of Australia.
“It is believed Kidman has been told she would be granted an annulment of her marriage to Cruise because that marriage did not conform to the requirements of the church,” according to Australia’s Sunday Mail. Kidman was married to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001.
As far as a future wedding to Urban, “the date hasn’t been set although June or July have been mentioned as possibilities,” a source told the Mail.
“I’ve never been told by Nicole that she is actually engaged,” Kidman’s Aussie spokeswoman told the Mail in dismissing the story. “If and when she marries again, I’m sure she will make some sort of announcement.” Kidman’s U.S. rep told The Scoop she has “no idea” if the story is true, adding, “I’m afraid [I've] never heard this before!”
**Okay, so here are my thoughts on this. GO GIRL! Tom Cruise is history and SO yesterday's news. He is only around because of his whole "relationship" with Katie Holmes. Who we all know comes from a devout Catholic family, who has in the last year fired her manager, publicists, family and friends AND has now conceived a child out of wedlock. All for the mind games of Tom Cruise.
If Nicole wasn't such a Lady, I would probably have to wander the streets of Nashville and beg to know what Tom is "really like".
Anyways, I am SO glad she is moving on with her life. I'm glad she went ahead and got her annulment based upon Lack of Form. This is the easiest form of Annulment you can receive from the Catholic Church. Once the paper work is filed the judgement can come in one to two weeks.
I do hope wedding bells will be ringing in Nashville this summer for Nicole. Good luck to them both!
MSNBC
Updated: 2:43 a.m. ET April 4, 2006
Will Nicole Kidman get a church wedding?
The actress, a devout Catholic, has had her marriage to Tom Cruise annulled so she can marry her sweetie Keith Urban in a religious ceremony, according to reports coming from her homeland of Australia.
“It is believed Kidman has been told she would be granted an annulment of her marriage to Cruise because that marriage did not conform to the requirements of the church,” according to Australia’s Sunday Mail. Kidman was married to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001.
As far as a future wedding to Urban, “the date hasn’t been set although June or July have been mentioned as possibilities,” a source told the Mail.
“I’ve never been told by Nicole that she is actually engaged,” Kidman’s Aussie spokeswoman told the Mail in dismissing the story. “If and when she marries again, I’m sure she will make some sort of announcement.” Kidman’s U.S. rep told The Scoop she has “no idea” if the story is true, adding, “I’m afraid [I've] never heard this before!”
**Okay, so here are my thoughts on this. GO GIRL! Tom Cruise is history and SO yesterday's news. He is only around because of his whole "relationship" with Katie Holmes. Who we all know comes from a devout Catholic family, who has in the last year fired her manager, publicists, family and friends AND has now conceived a child out of wedlock. All for the mind games of Tom Cruise.
If Nicole wasn't such a Lady, I would probably have to wander the streets of Nashville and beg to know what Tom is "really like".
Anyways, I am SO glad she is moving on with her life. I'm glad she went ahead and got her annulment based upon Lack of Form. This is the easiest form of Annulment you can receive from the Catholic Church. Once the paper work is filed the judgement can come in one to two weeks.
I do hope wedding bells will be ringing in Nashville this summer for Nicole. Good luck to them both!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Ash Wednesday
The Season of Lent
Lent is a forty-day season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The season begins with Ash Wednesday, when pastors mark the foreheads of Christians with ashes as a reminder that we are created from dust and to dust we shall return.
During Lent we follow Jesus from his adult ministry through his suffering during Holy Week and his crucifixion and death on Good Friday. And we read the Psalms that foretell what would happen during that week.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, also called Sunday of the Passion, and continues through Holy Thursday (when Holy Communion was instituted at the Last Supper) and Good Friday, when Jesus was tried, crucified, and buried.
Because the Last Supper was celebrated during the Feast of the Passover, which is calculated on the phases of the moon, Easter is called a movable feast. Lent is scheduled backwards from Easter. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox. The forty days of fasting and penitence during Lent do not include Sundays. Christians always celebrate Sunday as the day Jesus rose from the dead, so it is never a day of fasting.
Many Northern Europeans celebrate the day before Ash Wednesday, mardi gras (French for Fat Tuesday, also called Shrove Tuesday), by eating up everything good in the house that medieval Christians believed was inappropriate to eat during Lent (eggs, butter, cream, meat). This celebration has expanded into all sorts of festivals all over the world, although most modern Christians do eat some - or all - of those foods during Lent.
Lent is a time of stripping down to essentials, as each Christian focuses on his or her individual relationship with God. It is a time when Christians remember our baptisms, when Jesus washed away our sins, giving us newness of life to celebrate in the triumph of Palm Sunday and the glory of Easter.
Because Lent is a time of letting go of the bondage of sin, it is also a time of celebrating the freedom from the bondage of slavery. At the Feast of the Passover, all Jews give thanks for their freedom from the captivity of the Egyptians.
We remember Moses, their leader, as we perform Out of Egypt.
And Christians give thanks for the freedom of all slaves in every culture everywhere when we sing Go Down, Moses (With One Voice 670).
The color of Lent is purple.
Lent is a forty-day season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The season begins with Ash Wednesday, when pastors mark the foreheads of Christians with ashes as a reminder that we are created from dust and to dust we shall return.
During Lent we follow Jesus from his adult ministry through his suffering during Holy Week and his crucifixion and death on Good Friday. And we read the Psalms that foretell what would happen during that week.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, also called Sunday of the Passion, and continues through Holy Thursday (when Holy Communion was instituted at the Last Supper) and Good Friday, when Jesus was tried, crucified, and buried.
Because the Last Supper was celebrated during the Feast of the Passover, which is calculated on the phases of the moon, Easter is called a movable feast. Lent is scheduled backwards from Easter. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox. The forty days of fasting and penitence during Lent do not include Sundays. Christians always celebrate Sunday as the day Jesus rose from the dead, so it is never a day of fasting.
Many Northern Europeans celebrate the day before Ash Wednesday, mardi gras (French for Fat Tuesday, also called Shrove Tuesday), by eating up everything good in the house that medieval Christians believed was inappropriate to eat during Lent (eggs, butter, cream, meat). This celebration has expanded into all sorts of festivals all over the world, although most modern Christians do eat some - or all - of those foods during Lent.
Lent is a time of stripping down to essentials, as each Christian focuses on his or her individual relationship with God. It is a time when Christians remember our baptisms, when Jesus washed away our sins, giving us newness of life to celebrate in the triumph of Palm Sunday and the glory of Easter.
Because Lent is a time of letting go of the bondage of sin, it is also a time of celebrating the freedom from the bondage of slavery. At the Feast of the Passover, all Jews give thanks for their freedom from the captivity of the Egyptians.
We remember Moses, their leader, as we perform Out of Egypt.
And Christians give thanks for the freedom of all slaves in every culture everywhere when we sing Go Down, Moses (With One Voice 670).
The color of Lent is purple.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Shopping....
So this weekend we went shopping. And BOY did we shop!!! I am in total mood to "stage" our home that is for sale. Click here to view the listing
The home is a 1908 Colonial. It was hand built by the town blacksmith in Wellford. Joe bought this home in late December 2004 and began remodeling it. It started with the dining room and progressed from there.
Since we now live in Charleston there are only bare necessities at the house. We are going to change that. There is some furniture in my house in Greer and we are bringing up some of the furniture we have here. I found loads of picture frames and am putting in my "stock" photos. Pictures that I took like waterfalls, fall color, etc to hang up. I also found some great photos and put in some of our black and white wedding photos. Just enough to where people will get an idea but it won't be overpowering (like our stairwell here - it's a WHOLE Davis reunion there!!)
I found some grat throw pillows to jazz up the couch, bedding, accessories, etc. I can't wait to get up there and work on the house. We can't wait to sell this house.
We started looking at new subdivisions this weekend and were VERY disapointed in some and we found one that looks promising. Sorry builders, we just aren't interersted in paying $100,000 more for 300 more sq ft, less of a back yard, and no trees.
Keep checking back as I put in the photos from our new "spruce up"!
The home is a 1908 Colonial. It was hand built by the town blacksmith in Wellford. Joe bought this home in late December 2004 and began remodeling it. It started with the dining room and progressed from there.
Since we now live in Charleston there are only bare necessities at the house. We are going to change that. There is some furniture in my house in Greer and we are bringing up some of the furniture we have here. I found loads of picture frames and am putting in my "stock" photos. Pictures that I took like waterfalls, fall color, etc to hang up. I also found some great photos and put in some of our black and white wedding photos. Just enough to where people will get an idea but it won't be overpowering (like our stairwell here - it's a WHOLE Davis reunion there!!)
I found some grat throw pillows to jazz up the couch, bedding, accessories, etc. I can't wait to get up there and work on the house. We can't wait to sell this house.
We started looking at new subdivisions this weekend and were VERY disapointed in some and we found one that looks promising. Sorry builders, we just aren't interersted in paying $100,000 more for 300 more sq ft, less of a back yard, and no trees.
Keep checking back as I put in the photos from our new "spruce up"!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Whew!!!!!
So I went this morning and had another blood sample taken. This one didn't hurt as much as I am STILL bruised from the sample last week. I got a surprising call at about 4:30. It was the nurse from my Doc's office. My HCG level is 5!! Whohoo!!! I'm getting back to normal!!!! TTCing here we come!!!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Results!!
So the OB/gyn office just called me. My HCG level is 82. They said it could take 6-8 WEEKS before my body got back to normal. When I miscarried I was only 20 days past ovulation. I was 5 weeks 2 days. (Confusing, huh? Every woman is "pregnant" evey cycle - pregnancy starts the first day of your period.)I had enough HCG to get a pregnant on the Clear Blue Easy (CBE) Digital, but tests like the Dollar Tree tests were still negative. Yesterday's pregnancy test I took was a $Tree test - and it came back positive. So obviously at SOME point my levels increased.
The doctor wants me to retest on Monday with the blood levels again and see what they are doing.
The doctor wants me to retest on Monday with the blood levels again and see what they are doing.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Ectopic Pregnancy??????
So I called my Ob/gyn on Friday because I had been bleeding for 20 days. He is concerened it might be an ectopic pregnancy. He asked me to take a pregnancy test and call him back on Monday. Well, with everythign going on this past weekend I forgot. So yesterday I came into the office and had a voicemail from the practice. I told them I would do it first thing on Wednesday.
So this morning, I got up and took a pregnancy test. It came up positive. My sweet DH and I were like, "Huh?????". So I called the OB and they sent me for labwork. The results won't be available until tomorrow morning.
Poor Joe is so worried about me. I sent him an article Friday explaining ectopic pregnancies. He saw the words "Can be fatal" and is now convinced I am going to die. He is so worried!!!! This morning he was actually running around the house cleaning and vaccuming becuase he was so high strung.
We hope everythign is fine. My mother made a comment that what if I am pregnant and it's not an ectopic? Or what if I'm newely pregnant again??? I don't think so b/c of our charts - my temps haven't risen.
Guess we will just have to see!!!
So this morning, I got up and took a pregnancy test. It came up positive. My sweet DH and I were like, "Huh?????". So I called the OB and they sent me for labwork. The results won't be available until tomorrow morning.
Poor Joe is so worried about me. I sent him an article Friday explaining ectopic pregnancies. He saw the words "Can be fatal" and is now convinced I am going to die. He is so worried!!!! This morning he was actually running around the house cleaning and vaccuming becuase he was so high strung.
We hope everythign is fine. My mother made a comment that what if I am pregnant and it's not an ectopic? Or what if I'm newely pregnant again??? I don't think so b/c of our charts - my temps haven't risen.
Guess we will just have to see!!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Goodbye Jessica & David!!!
So Joe and I got invited to a wedding on Saturday. A dear, sweet coworker got married to her sweetheart!!! Joe and I took 15 rolls of film of their wedding photos. I can't wait to start getting them developed. They had a wonderful reception at Magnolia's, which is on East Bay street. Magnolia's is FABULOUS!!! I highly recommend them!!!
Sunday I gave my first tour for the Cathedral!!! Whohoo!!! it was great! I had 16 people in my group. My first tour was scheduled WAY back in January, but no one stayed after mass, then my second, I had my miscarriage. I did a great job and now I'm on the schedule for more!!!
On Monday, Joe and I both had the day off so we helped Jessica & Dave move. Dave is a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and is currently stationed in Pensacola. They will be leaving Pensacola for Texas in a few short weeks.
Goodbye Jessica & Dave!!! You are always welcome at our home!!!!
Sunday I gave my first tour for the Cathedral!!! Whohoo!!! it was great! I had 16 people in my group. My first tour was scheduled WAY back in January, but no one stayed after mass, then my second, I had my miscarriage. I did a great job and now I'm on the schedule for more!!!
On Monday, Joe and I both had the day off so we helped Jessica & Dave move. Dave is a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and is currently stationed in Pensacola. They will be leaving Pensacola for Texas in a few short weeks.
Goodbye Jessica & Dave!!! You are always welcome at our home!!!!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
The Power of the Robin's Egg Blue box
Ask any woman where a Robin's Egg blue box comes from and spontanteous and instantly Audrey Hepburn, New York, 5th Avenue and Tiffany's will pop into her head.
Imagine my surprise at being presented with THE BLUE BAG!! Well, everyone knows that inside that bag contains a blue box, white ribbon, blue bag, and jewlery!!! Whoohoo!!!
Last night I was presented with my own personal blue bag. Wow! Completely floored. Inside that bag was by own little box. And inside that box was a little blue pouch. And inside that pouch was the Tiffany's "Return to Tiffany & Co." oval bracelet. Oh my!!
Now all I need is to have it ingraved with my "new" initials!!! I wish we had a Tiffany's down here. Why go to New York? There's a Saks on King Street! Wouldn't I wish that we had a Tiffany's on King. Goodness! I could be like Audrey Hepburn and have Breakfast at Tiffany's. heck! I could have Breakfast and Lunch! It's not but two blocks away!!
But, I will just have to settle for going to Atlanta or Charlotte. We do have a trip planned for Charlotte in March. I called Tiffany's in Charlotte and was told it would have to be sent to New York to be engraved.
I wonder if I can wait the 2-5 weeks until it returns?
YOU BET!!!
To quote the Mastercard commercial "To have your initials engraved on jewlery from Tiffany's - Priceless"!!!
Imagine my surprise at being presented with THE BLUE BAG!! Well, everyone knows that inside that bag contains a blue box, white ribbon, blue bag, and jewlery!!! Whoohoo!!!
Last night I was presented with my own personal blue bag. Wow! Completely floored. Inside that bag was by own little box. And inside that box was a little blue pouch. And inside that pouch was the Tiffany's "Return to Tiffany & Co." oval bracelet. Oh my!!
Now all I need is to have it ingraved with my "new" initials!!! I wish we had a Tiffany's down here. Why go to New York? There's a Saks on King Street! Wouldn't I wish that we had a Tiffany's on King. Goodness! I could be like Audrey Hepburn and have Breakfast at Tiffany's. heck! I could have Breakfast and Lunch! It's not but two blocks away!!
But, I will just have to settle for going to Atlanta or Charlotte. We do have a trip planned for Charlotte in March. I called Tiffany's in Charlotte and was told it would have to be sent to New York to be engraved.
I wonder if I can wait the 2-5 weeks until it returns?
YOU BET!!!
To quote the Mastercard commercial "To have your initials engraved on jewlery from Tiffany's - Priceless"!!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Thought for the Day
"Peace begins with a smile" - Mother Theresa
So this little thought was on a coworker's screen saver. It really brought a smile to my face. Have you ever tried to diffuse a situation by smiling? Smiling, I have found is a powerful tool. And you can't just fake it either. You have to have a real smile on your face and be genuine about it.
My husband and I started carpooling together back when gas prices were going through the roof. So he drops me off every morning and picks me up in the evening. This has immensly cut down on our gas expenses. I drive a Toyota Camry XLE with a V6 engine. In rush-hour traffic, it can really use a lot of gas. Anyways, sometimes I will leave early and call Joe and have him come pick me up. So generally instead of waiting around I start walking down Broad Street towards Lockwood Drive where he will be comming from. It's amazing the homes you will see (I LOVE the Charleston single house style - I want to live on the Penninsula but needs lots of $$$), and the people. I have found that if I smile as I walk, people smile back. And sometimes I will give a little greeting and get one in return. I love it when I see people change before my eyes and they light up and smile and some continue to smile. Why?
It's the power of the smile.
Smile and brighten someone's day!!
PEACE be to YOU!!!
So this little thought was on a coworker's screen saver. It really brought a smile to my face. Have you ever tried to diffuse a situation by smiling? Smiling, I have found is a powerful tool. And you can't just fake it either. You have to have a real smile on your face and be genuine about it.
My husband and I started carpooling together back when gas prices were going through the roof. So he drops me off every morning and picks me up in the evening. This has immensly cut down on our gas expenses. I drive a Toyota Camry XLE with a V6 engine. In rush-hour traffic, it can really use a lot of gas. Anyways, sometimes I will leave early and call Joe and have him come pick me up. So generally instead of waiting around I start walking down Broad Street towards Lockwood Drive where he will be comming from. It's amazing the homes you will see (I LOVE the Charleston single house style - I want to live on the Penninsula but needs lots of $$$), and the people. I have found that if I smile as I walk, people smile back. And sometimes I will give a little greeting and get one in return. I love it when I see people change before my eyes and they light up and smile and some continue to smile. Why?
It's the power of the smile.
Smile and brighten someone's day!!
V-Day recap
So, Joe brought me the swetest bouquet of flowers, and brought a rose in a budvase for my boss (so sweet!!). He picked me up and we decided against going to Summerville (all that traffic). Instead we went to Sticky Fingers (my favorite!) in North Charleston then we went to Barnes & Noble. I got to pick out two books as more presents! Joe started getting a headache so we went home early. But it was a wonderful day!!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Happy Valentine's Day!!
So Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!
My day has started off with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses (and a card to match!) from my DH. Who also brought me a bag full of Dark chocolate (yum!) and Heath bars (my favorite)!!!
So Joe is planning to take me out tonight and we have changed our plans slightly. Instead of staying downtown on the penninsula we are planning to go to Summerville for dinner and a movie.
~*~*~*~*~* A History of St. Valentine's Day~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
St. Valentine of Rome was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. At that time, Emperor Claudius II decided that single ment made better soldiers than married men (obviously he hasn't been on one of the bases around here ;), so he outlawed marriage for young couples. Realizing the injustice of this law, Valentine secretly married couples. As soon as news about Valentine got ot Claudius, Valentine was thrown in jail and sentenced to death. Many asked Claudius to free Valentine, but he refused. He locked him up, and he died on February 14, 270. Legend says that St. Valentine left a farewell note to the jailer's daughter who had become his friend and signed it "From your Valentine."
♥ Feel the Love. Share the Love. ♥
My day has started off with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses (and a card to match!) from my DH. Who also brought me a bag full of Dark chocolate (yum!) and Heath bars (my favorite)!!!
So Joe is planning to take me out tonight and we have changed our plans slightly. Instead of staying downtown on the penninsula we are planning to go to Summerville for dinner and a movie.
~*~*~*~*~* A History of St. Valentine's Day~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
St. Valentine of Rome was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. At that time, Emperor Claudius II decided that single ment made better soldiers than married men (obviously he hasn't been on one of the bases around here ;), so he outlawed marriage for young couples. Realizing the injustice of this law, Valentine secretly married couples. As soon as news about Valentine got ot Claudius, Valentine was thrown in jail and sentenced to death. Many asked Claudius to free Valentine, but he refused. He locked him up, and he died on February 14, 270. Legend says that St. Valentine left a farewell note to the jailer's daughter who had become his friend and signed it "From your Valentine."
♥ Feel the Love. Share the Love. ♥
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