some apologetics assistance needed...

I have quite a love/hate relationship with Facebook - I've gone on several "FB fasts," canceled my account on numerous occasions, etc.  I think it can serve a good purpose when used prudently and not as a means to "be in the know" about people with whom one never communicates with aside from exchanging Facebook status changes on the homepage.  But, I digress. 

Within the last week, there have been two bold claims made by two individuals, both of whom I would consider a friend (more than simply a "Facebook friend").  These claims were essentially the same, stating that the Roman Catholic Church needs to get with the times and start ordaining women.

Obviously this isn't the first time that people have expressed this view.  But as a committed Roman Catholic who loves and embraces the Magesterium, this is clearly a sentiment that I do not uphold.  Not even a little bit.  Nope.  Not at all.

And there are so many reasons, but a lesson in apologetics is not the reason for my post.  I do, however, need advice as to how to best serve people who make these claims on Facebook.  I feel like I have a few options:

1. Do/say nothing.  Pray for them, but take no more action than that.
2. Send them a link to some solid apologetics in text or podcast format, thus potentially starting (or continuing?) an open-forum debate on their profile page.
3. Send them a FB message or email (something sent only to the person making the claim) about why their view is flawed.  The intention here is not to be seen as better or holier than them but rather to plant a seed rooted in the fullness of the Truth.

When it comes down to it, I want to DO something.  I'm so sick of Church bashing, particularly among people who claim to be Catholic.  But on things like Facebook, I don't know how far I should go in terms of apologetics.  I want to be charitable without sugar-coating anything.  It's easy to paint a picture of our Lord as a peacemaker - someone who simply wanted everyone to get along, love each other, etc.  But Jesus was so much more than that, desiring nothing but our sanctity and bringing us closer to the Truth.  So how the heck do I convey that on Facebook?

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Please give me some ideas! 

small successes, vol 2

 

1.  This week I've napped more days than not - and while for many, this would not be seen as a "success," it was certainly a big step for me!  I'm very slowly but surely learning that my own resting really is a way to serve our family, particularly when I'm pregnant.  And taking even just 30 minutes to sleep during Thomas' nap is refreshing and gives me so much more energy to finish up the day.

2.  I find that when I'm pregnant, I become intensely introverted...more like hyper-aware of my body.  And while I need to pay attention to how I'm feeling, I often take this to an extreme and end up causing myself much undue anxiety.  This is a big reason why I do not read pregnancy books or articles that talk about how a woman "should" be feeling or what she "should" be experiencing at a certain point in her pregnancy.  In order to help alleviate some of that anxiety, I've decided to replace those negative, anxiety-ridden thoughts with one simple phrase: "God alone is my sufficiency."  I believe it's from Corinthians, and I read it in one of my Divine Intimacy meditations this week.  Simply stated, it's been working wonders in even just a couple of days.  The mind is so very powerful, so I'm trying to channel it Heavenward rather than inward.  It's humbling just how much concentration and purposeful thinking it takes for me - but I'm getting there.

3.  Transitioning Thomas from two naps to one long afternoon nap continues to work out wonderfully.  He sleeps from about 1:00 until 3:30 or 4:00 (with the occasional 2:30 wake-up some days).  This makes our play dates, errands, library programs, etc. so much easier to schedule since our mornings can now be dedicated fully to them instead of trying to sandwich activities in between two naps, especially if travel is involved.  I'm also so glad that he's on this schedule before his sister arrives so that it's already set in place as we transition to life with two under two.  

a little thomas vocab update

I'm finding the toddler stage with Thomas to be both incredibly challenging and insanely adorable all wrapped into one sweet, limit-testing, endlessly active, into-everything package.  Sometimes my limits are tested to a near breaking point, and 5 seconds later I'm convinced God has never created a more adorable child.  But all the while I'm in awe of him - I can't seem to help it.

Lately Thomas' vocabulary has been exploding - seems that there's at least one new word or sound he's able to say with each passing day.  Here's a running list:

• Truck (if you've spent more than 2 minutes with Thomas in the last month, I'm fairly confident you've been told this word two dozen times at minimum).
• Jesus
• Priest
• Cracker
• Door
• Tree
• Kiss 
• Daddy (ahem...)
• Cheese
• Keys
• Please
• Thank you
• Fish
• Doggie
• Juice (he's never actually had juice yet, but it's what we call Pedialyte thanks to several recent stomach viruses he's had)
• Ball
• Animal sounds - moo, hiss, bzzzz, roar, and, if we're lucky, buzzing his lips with his arm in the air for an elephant

Sorry that I don't have some recent photos to include in this post - we've been so busy lately, and I haven't taken time with the camera.  I'll get a picture post up here soon!

worlds apart

This might be my all-time favorite Jars of Clay song.  It's a long one (11 minutes), but I'd really recommend listening to it if you've never heard it before.  It really resonates with me recently.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

small successes, vol 1

In true melancholic fashion, I've deliberated for months about doing this weekly post.  I don't want to come across as showy or better than anyone else.  And once you read these, I'm sure you'll be able to think up at least a dozen successes that you've had these week that far outweigh mine!  But the main reason I'm doing this is for myself...a personal reminder that my vocation matters, that it makes a difference, and that it's what God is calling me to do.  I'm not looking for any applause here - it's simply a little boost for myself and myself alone, a reason to glorify God.

Now I'm done explaining myself.  I promise.

1.  We've been doing a lot of hosting lately, and by the grace of God, I've managed to make every meal with minimal shopping.  I hate needing to run out the grocery store to "pick up a few things" for every meal - it gets way too expensive, and I simply don't have time for that!  So I've really made efforts to use what we have.  The other night I was able to have a dinner of spinach/strawberry/walnut salad (with homemade dressing), baked chicken, and alfredo pasta on the table before my husband arrived home.  Oh, and we had homemade blueberry-strawberry cobbler for dessert.  Delish.

2.  I've felt pretty on top of the small details of our move recently.  Yesterday, Drake and I made the arrangements to have our utility services canceled here on our move-out date and started up at our new place in August.  It was only a matter of phone calls, but they were time consuming.  Feels good to have that taken care of.  We have appointments set up with my new OB office as well as a new pediatrician for Thomas and #2.  I've also compiled a list of things we're trying to find on Craig's List and have taken time to do some researching and emailing.  I'm crossing my fingers for one item in particular - one of the kid-friendly storage sets I'd like to have.

3.  Despite a sick child, sick husband, and frequent nightly trips to the bathroom, I've managed to stick with my morning plan of waking up early to shower and read Divine Intimacy before anyone else wakes up.  Even though I'd really love the extra zzz's, I know that it's hard for me to wake up and just need to be "on."  Now, I'm ready to crash by about 7:30pm most nights because of it, but it's really made a difference in how I feel throughout the day.  It helps me handle the toddler tantrums, pregnancy challenges, and daily stressors with more ease than I would otherwise.  And sometimes Thomas sleeps in a little more than usual, leaving me time to blog!  Bonus!