Children in Museums

I love museums.  When I was young and we went on family holidays, I always wanted to go to a museum, and I'm sure I drove my sister insane.  My father was always happy to take me, so I didn't realise until much later that history really isn't a major interest of his.  I'm glad he allowed me to explore what I was interested in, even if he didn't share my enthusiasm.

This is something I'm now learning, too.  I love taking my children to museums, and they enjoy going, too.  They simply don't enjoy seeing the same things I do.  Kieran is more than happy to spend all his time looking at the fish when we're at the World Museum.  I did manage to get them up to the Egypt exhibit the last time we went, but neither of them were too interested.  Well, Kieran did enjoy the fact that he could touch a granite block with the face and cartouche of Ramesses II on it that was from the temple at Bubastis, though he didn't care so much about me pointing out the cartouche.

Yesterday I took them to a Hittite exhibit at a different museum; I thought they'd enjoy it, as it was very kid-friendly, and they did enjoy some of it, but what Kieran really enjoyed was the John James Audubon exhibit on the floor below.  While that might not have been my first choice, I certainly didn't want to deter him in his interest.  So I must take this lesson from my father, to encourage my children in their interests and to never seem like I don't share that interest.  Besides, the kids and I might both learn something in the process.  In the meantime, I'll just thank my father for always encouraging me.  Thanks, Daddy.  I love you.

Musings of a Convert

There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.

The above quote is from Archbishop Fulton Sheen, and I've found it to be fairly accurate, at least in my own experience.  I was raised Southern Baptist, but converted to Catholicism in 2004.  Here are some of the more common misconceptions I've encountered, either in my own understanding or in others.

-Purgatory.  This is a pretty big one, really.  The usual misconceptions are that purgatory is some kind of "second chance" and/or that it negates Jesus' sacrifice and instead focuses on earning your way to Heaven.  In fact, neither of these are true.  I mentioned that I was raised Southern Baptist, in a congregation that taught "once saved, always saved"; if asked what would happen to the person who still held on to some sin at death, some would answer that those sins, or any attachment to sin, would be immediately burned away and cleansed upon death.  Well, that's essentially purgatory.  We don't know how long it may take for this cleansing, but it could be in the blink of an eye.  This doesn't negate Jesus' sacrifice, but is the application of His sacrifice after our death for those of us who die while still in some attachment to venial sin.  It's a great act of mercy from God to cleanse us in this way so we can enter Heaven.

-Faith/Works.  Purgatory leads to me the discussion on faith and works.  Many seem to think that Catholics believe they can earn their way to Heaven through various works.  In fact, Church teachings are very clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith and works.  This doesn't mean that we earn our way, but it does mean that we can't just say we believe and then not live it out.  After all, St James tells us that faith without works is dead.  The parable of the sheep and goats makes it clear that our actions matter.  Again, this doesn't mean that we earn our salvation - it is only by the grace of God, and He also gives us the grace to perform these actions.

There are many more, but I'll stop with just those for now.  :-)

Crafty Thursday

You'll notice I changed the name today, because I did more than knit.  As far as knitting goes, I finished the ribbing on my sweater and started the "skirt" part.  I'm doing a combo of Inverness diamonds and marriage lines.  I've not done enough to see if I like it, though.  I left in a lifeline at the end of the ribbingg so I can easily rip out to that point if need be.

I also broke out the Elna sewing machine I was given in order to try to turn some old jeans into a skirt. I'm not quite finished yet, and I'm not sure if I like it or not, but thought it was worth a try.  I can always cut them down more to make something for Charlotte if it doesn't work for me.  As my husband said, I'm just living out the principle of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. ;-)

Book Nook

I picked up this book at a Catholic retreat centre outside of St Alban's last year.  I thought it was cute, and both kids have liked it.  It's interactive, since the child is supposed to move the little lamb through the different pages.  Sometimes the lamb has gotten lost, but right now it's in its slot in the book cover, as it should be.  I'll be honest and say that I often find children's religious books to be overly cheesy and dumbed down, but this one isn't too bad in that regard.  Of course, my critique doesn't just apply to religious books for children, because there are a lot of children's books that I find too cheesy and/or dumbed down.  I don't believe in talking down to kids.  I'm also the mother who's read Shakespeare to my son, though.

Blood of Christ

I'm trying to stay off-line as much as possible on Sundays, so I thought over the next few Sundays I'd just post my thoughts, such as they may be, on the Anima Christi prayer.  It's one of my favourite prayers, and one I say daily. Here's the full text:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That with thy Saints I may praise Thee
For all eternity
Amen

Blood of Christ, inebriate me.

My thoughts on this part are similar to my thoughts on the previous line.  With this one, though, it also speaks of being completely overcome by Jesus in the Eucharist.  Inebriate me.  The word "inebriate" speaks of being drunk or intoxicated.  Of course, people often speak of being intoxicated by love, and I think that's the sense here.  If we truly allow ourselves to become intoxicated, inebriated by Jesus' love for us when we are united with Him in the Eucharist, how awesome would that be?  I'm reminded of Bernini's The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, even though her ecstasy was caused by a vision and not by partaking of the Eucharist, I think.

And of course I'm still absolutely amazed that His Blood which was shed for us is shared with us in this way.  Yes, it usually retains the appearance of wine, but there have been times when it hasn't.  Perhaps most notable is the miracle at Lanciano.

So Far, So Good

Last week I decided I needed to actually schedule my computer time so I didn't waste so much time.  Well, 1 week in and so far, so good.  After just the first couple of days I felt saner because I wasn't wasting time online and then rushing around trying to cook or clean.  I also have an easier time getting ready in time for daily Mass when the computer's off.  I'm not incredibly strict about the schedule, since I can't predict what the kids will do or need, but I know roughly when I'll get on, and then I just make sure to only be on for the set amount of time.

One of the problems I had before was that I'd think of something I truly needed to look up (or was just curious about), so I'd get online and look it up.  Then the Thnikkaman would arrive and I'd get distracted and look at various other things.  Later I'd remember something else I needed to know, so the cycle would repeat.  Now I just jot things down if I need to look something up or have a blog idea, and then I can do it all when I get online.  I also find that I don't really care as much about being online, so I don't always take up all of my scheduled online time, which is great.

I'm even sticking to my cleaning schedule a bit better.  Granted, it's still not up to Fly Lady standards, seeing as I don't shine my sink every evening, but it's a lot better.

Knitting Thursday

Since I don't have much to report on my knitting (except that I think I need to find a pattern for a Gruffalo), I thought I'd showcase some of my mother's knits.  She's constantly sending beautiful knits to the kids.