Sugar: The Bitter Truth

I was absolutely riveted by this video because it was explained very precisely, the problems with HFC. I thought i knew a lot about the physiology and effects of high fructose corn syrup and white sugar on our systems, but i learned new facts. Made me even more convinced that our family has to do this for our health. He explains metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease) and how all of them are brought on by our diets. Good stuff!

Beatitudes for the Home

Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate and considerate and loving, after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.

BLESSED are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends.

BLESSED are they who have a sense of humor, for this attribute will be a handy shock absorber.

BLESSED are they who love their mates more than any other person in the world and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vows of lifetime of fidelity and mutual helpfulness to one another.

BLESSED are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the Lord.

BLESSED are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible, for prayers and saying the Rosary.

BLESSED are those mates who never speak loudly to one another and who make their home a place where seldom is heard a discouraging word.

BLESSED are the husband and wife who faithfully attend Mass, receive the Sacraments and seriously work on mutual personal conversion and who work together in the church for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.

BLESSED are the husband and wife who can work out problems and resolve them, with each considering the needs of the other.

BLESSED are they, who can learn the Art of Compromise, to resolve their differences.

BLESSED are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their home to Christ and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by being unselfish, loyal and loving.

Happy Anniversary, Darling

This month we have celebrated our 5yr Wedding Anniversary. As I look back on the whirlwind of the past five years, (where I jokingly tell you, my dear husband, that it feels like twenty) I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the beauty and grace in our marriage. The Lord alone is responsible for that. And I praise Him for His goodness. His compassion and deep love for us. His providence and mercy.

I clearly remember standing at the altar and promising to welcome our children graciously from the Lord, and to raise them in the Faith. Five babies in five years certainly attests that we are keeping that promise. None of that would be possible with God's grace in our everyday life. He is, after all, the third Person in our marriage.

We have promised to love one another and we make that act of the will, everyday.

Also, our marriage has been blessed by the support and love of those around us. Both sides of our family, the priest who married us, our parish, our friends... As much as we are held up in public as an example of God at work in our lives, these people have brought God to us in a tangible and real way. They have helped our marriage to grow, and always closer to God.

Do you see a theme here? The Sacrament of Marriage, the fruit of our love, the support of those around us... all have led us closer to Him. Which is what this vocation is all about, the ultimate goal of our lives.

So, Darling. May all our years together be just as beautiful and full of grace as our years past. We don't know what is in store. But our prayers will see us through. Let us not take anything for granted. Yet, rely on and revel in God's infinite goodness.

God bless you.

With all the pieces of my heart,

Your Devoted Wife

vocations are serious business!

the charge of raising my children, the ones the Lord has lent out to me, and assisting/encouraging my husband, etc. is serious business indeed! the business of getting into heaven!

i have been realizing the profound responsibilities placed on my shoulders. they aren't burdensome. rather, they are inspiring. it's something for me to live up to. The marriage promise at the altar, the Baptismal promise of each of my children... the daily conversion of my own faith...

I take the Holy Family, The Blessed Mother, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary as my role models. I also invoke their blessing and protection on my spouse and children. We need them like a child needs their mother. Our world is so hostile and the supernatural war is afoot.

Amen.

civilization and womanhood

i truly have a HUGE responsibility being a woman. everyday, i'm in awe at how much the Lord entrusts me with certain responsibilities in my vocation!

i fall very short indeed.

love mel

"To a great extent the level of any civilization is the level of its womanhood. When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women."

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Reflections on being a help meet

Well, here is my first entry. It will be short. I started reading, Created to be His Help Meet this morning. This definitely fits under P3, for partner, so I will probably move it over there once it's set up properly.

But the first couple of pages, there are some things that stood out to me.

1. I want for my husband to take a larger role in leading the family. I have wanted that for years now and I've only been married for 4 so far. Maybe this book will show me a few things to encourage him to do that.

2. I am guilty (and have known that for sometime) of hurting my husband with my words. I learned from Fr. Corapi sometime ago, that hurting my husband is actually hurting myself, as we are now "one body" in Holy Matrimony. He called it, committing spiritual masochism.

3. I am also guilty of thinking badly. My thoughts have definitely been in the past, the example illustrated in a woman's letter about "He loves me, He loves me, not..." syndrome. I have been aware of that for some time now and I must say that Mother's Rule has helped me TREMENDOUSLY in that area. My inner dialogue is much improved. But since this book is dedicated to the study of being a helper to my husband, I must be ever vigilant and not hurt him with my words, or think badly of him in anyway. It's poisonous. It is also a challenge. Thank God, for the Sacraments! They are there to help me grow and lift me up when I fall, and sustain me in the battle.