I first read this prayer years ago but it has since become a favorite. š
Dear God,
So far today, I’ve done all right! I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper,
I haven’t cheated, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or
overindulgent. I am thankful for that. But, in a few minutes Lord, I’m going to
get out of bed…and from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot more help!
Amen.
.jpg)
There’s a great new children’s book out called Angel in the Waters. It is published by Sophia Press and it’s about the experience of a baby and his guardian angel from the moment of conception until his birth. You can read the whole book online at angelinthewaters.com. It’s truly a beautiful story! (Not just for kids, it would be a great gift for a pregnant or new mom or dad too.)
In his latest e-letter, Karl Keating of Catholic Answers featured the site CatechismClass.com. It is based on the Catechism and is listed as “authentic, orthodox Catholic.” There are lessons for K-12 including sample lessons for you to review before signing on. Take a look.
Okay, okay, just one more quick post since I’ve got to get packing. (I’m leaving early tomorrow morning to visit my family in So Calif while Brian is away on a men’s retreat for 3 days. Please keep us both in prayer!) Here’s a little story from a homeschooling mom about the simple wisdom of children. She wrote:
My son and I were finishing up our religion time, just the 2 of us, by discussing the Catechism questions. The topic was Sanctifying Grace. I was telling him that although Baptism gives us the Mark of Christ, after removing original sin, and allows us to go to heaven, it’s no “free ticket”. We have to work on knowing, loving and serving God every day.
He looked real serious for a moment. Then he said, “Mom, it’s kinda like playing Chutes and Ladders, isn’t it?” I sat there like one electrified.
“Yes, CJ, it is. Most days we move forward a space or two. Sometimes we even get caught on that spot were you have to roll double to get to move again. BUT, eventually the day will come… when you will slide down a chute or ascend the ladder. And, if you’re REALLY lucky, you’ll get to go up one of the BIG ones and your life will never be the same again.”
Next time you wanna illustrate “getting to heaven” for your little ones, pull out your Chutes and Ladders game. Come to think of it, I CAN’T think of a better analogy. Outta the mouths of babes.
Yeah, the kids will really teach us. I’ve been working with Bella on making the sign of the cross and saying her simple prayers throughout the day. The other day I was in a hurry and gave her her lunch and walked back into the kitchen. She then said to me, “Wait Mama, you forgot da pwayers” (the prayers). I apologized to her and we said our grace. After she made the sign of the cross she smiled and said, “Now Jesus happy.” Yes, I’m sure He is.
Many of us remember the American Girl Dolls when we were growing up and some of us have now bought them for our own daughters. However I received an email from a friend/ home schooling mom that surprised me. You can read it for yourself.
“My daughter’s b-day is coming up and she’s wild about American Girls. She’s read just about all of the books. They have a new series for older girls called Dolls of Many Lands. One of them is an Irish doll that comes with a book called Kathleen: The Celtic Knot. I “preread” it before wrapping it and giving it to her and boy am I glad I did!
This book is positively horrible! Within just the first few pages it starts up with the old stereotypes of the mean Catholic nuns teaching school. It then goes on to develop the hero of the story – Kathleen’s 20 year old aunt “Polly” who likes to wear bright red lipstick, smoke, and hates anything to do with Christianity or the Church. The truth is that “Polly’s” real name is “Mary”, but she cannot bear the idea of that name so she demands that everyone call her “Polly” instead.
In one scene Polly lectures her brother-in-law, Kathleen’s father, on the dangers of going to mass, praying, and devotions. This book isn’t good enough for bird cage paper, as one of my dearest friends would say. I wrote American Girl and told them exactly how offended I am – as a Catholic Christian and as an Irish citizen – by their negative portrayal of the Irish of the 1930’s and of Christianity in general. Hopefully this heads up will save some of you the same experience. God Bless, K.”