Let's Just Pray

Let's just pray. From now until election day, let's just pray.  

O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord, Not only of individuals, but of nations and governments. We thank you for the privilege Of being able to organize ourselves politically And of knowing that political loyalty Does not have to mean disloyalty to you. We thank you for your law, Which our Founding Fathers acknowledged  And recognized as higher than any human law. We thank you for the opportunity that this election  year puts before us, To exercise our solemn duty not only to vote, But to influence countless others to vote, And to vote correctly. Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened. Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation, Their response to you requires that they be politically active. Awaken your people to know that they are  not called to be a sect fleeing the world But rather a community of faith renewing the world. Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer  Are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth; That the same eyes that read your Word Are the eyes that read the names on the ballot, And that they do not cease to be Christians When they enter the voting booth. Awaken your people to a commitment to justice To the sanctity of marriage and the family, To the dignity of each individual human life, And to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin, And not one moment later. Lord, we rejoice today That we are citizens of your kingdom. May that make us all the more committed To being faithful citizens on earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Chaput on the election.

Cardinal Dolan on Religious Freedom

needle & thREAD with Edith

I have a confession to make.

I am a sewing lesson drop-out.

There. I said it.

I know, that wonderful book, right? It's not that I didn't intend to finish it. I did so want to graduate through each skill-building lesson. It's just that...Well, I couldn't help myself. 

Really, it's not my fault. 

It's all those patterns out there! They're the ones to blame. So darling! How could I resist?

It all started one morning when Elizabeth (She's really the one to blame!) and I were texting about sewing machines and she just happened to mention the 2-part video series on apparel sewing basics by Leisl Gibson of Oliver + S. (Oh, how I adore Oliver + S!)

In my mind there was nothing to do but download that first video. And that's exactly what I did. I watched and all those basic techniques, they didn't seem so hard. Just trace the pattern, cut the fabric, follow the directions and if I get stuck I can always revisit the technique on the video. What have I got to lose, I thought to myself.

So I took out my Oliver + S Music Box Jumper pattern (You see how I was doomed, already stashing patterns?) and a few yards of Anna Maria Horner's Field Study print, Mind's Eye in Toast (Yes, fabric too!) and began measuring Beatrix, my ever-so-willing-to-get-a-new-dress kind of girl. 

I admit it. I was a little nervous. I even considered abandoning this whim, chalking it up to a moment of creative insanity. But that adorable pattern! It's only one out of four scissors on the difficulty scale, I said to myself. I can do this, right?

That's when I called Elizabeth. 

And that's when she told me that this particular pattern, with its pleated skirt and that placket with all those buttons and holes to line up just so, it's not truly a beginner's pattern. Fair warning, but still she encouraged me to give it a try. 

So I did.

Not too shabby for a drop-out, now is it?

I think it's safe to say that there's no turning back now. And I'm downright fighting the urge to order up every pattern in that collection. One at a time, Edith, one at a time. 

(However, I did start another jumper for my daughter Margaret. This one's in Anna Maria Horner's Field Study print, Cell Structure in Americana. It's not quite finished. Still needs a hem and buttons. I do love it that the two jumpers coordinate, but aren't too matchy, matchy. Poor Beatrix won't have to wear the exact same jumper for years and years as Margaret passes hers down.)

As far as reading goes, I'm no better at one at a time with my books than I am with my sewing or knitting. I'm still reading Bleak House. Three hundred pages in, only seven hundred to go! I commited a grave literary sin and began watching the BBC Bleak House series with my husband--before finishing the book. Egad! (But it's so worth it! And it's available to stream instantly on Netflix.)

The girls and I finished Wuthering Heights. We all let out a disappointed sigh when we closed the cover on that one. So sad to come to the end of such a masterpiece. We talked for days and the girls and I all agreed that the movie versions completely miss the point of it. The greatest love story ever told? Yes. But the true story of love isn't about Catherine and Healthcliff. It's about the love of a mother that protects her daughter always and at all times, even from the grave. The girls and I were unanimous--the movie versions completely miss that. 

To fill our Bronte-sized void, we began reading David Copperfield this week. More Dickens. I know.

But really, can anyone ever have too much Dickens?

~~~~

What about you? Are you starting to think Christmas gifts? Big plans for winter home dec?  Or are you embroidering? Pulling a needle with thread through lovely fabric to make life more beautiful somehow? Would you share with us just a single photo (or more) and a brief description of what you're up to? Will you tell us about what you're reading, also? Would you talk sewing and books with us? I'd love that so much.

Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your blog post or your specific Flickr photo and not your main blog URL or Flickr Photostream. Please be sure and link to your current needle and thREAD post below in the comments, and not a needle and thREAD post from a previous week. If you don't have a blog, please post a photo to the needle & thREAD group at Flickr. 

       Include a link back to this post in your blog post or on your flickr photo page so that others who may want to join the needle and thREAD fun can find us! Feel free to grab a button here (in one of several colors) so that you can use the button to link:-)

For Sarah Annie, On Her Fourth Birthday

You are from a pink and purple bedroom with bluebell photos on the wall,

from a tiny but still too big pumpkin hat on the day you were born,

from handmade dresses and sentimental sweaters, patchwork Toms and special Hannas.

You are from a red brick house that smells like blessed candles, from icons on the walls, and the many voices of big brothers and sisters echoing off hardwood floors.

You are from the tulips and the stinky pear tree in the spring, from pansies and mums in the fall-- the front porch welcoming committees that smile at you as you come and go.

You are from American Girl dolls and shelves crammed with picture books

from Foss & MacDonald, Grzymala & DeMell

from athletes and dancers and thoughtful writers

from passionate politicos, media pioneers, and quiet crafters.

You are from soccering on weekends, dancing all day every day

from writing it all down and taking lots of pictures.

You are from handmade rosaries, the Angelus at noon, and a tiny medal around your neck

from Chick-Fil-A and sushi and eggs-and-toast-and-toast-to-dip-in (but not all at the same time)

from three grandpas in the Navy and road trips to Charlottesville and Ponte Vedra.

You are from Disney World with the best brothers and sisters, who made it all magic just for you; from Bluebell Week every year in dear, familiar woods

from a Daddy who lights up at the mere whisper of your name, scoops you up into giant hugs, and snuggles you through the night.

You are from a mama who has held every moment captive, cupped your sweet face in her hands a dozen times a day, and thanked God again and again for the gift of you.

You are from a family that reminds you daily that you are a miracle and we are so grateful for the grace and joy you bring to our lives.

You are the littlest of the girlies, still a wee bit fragile, ever darling, always loved beyond measure.

 

"I am from" poem templates here. 

Sad News {Updated}

Our friend and mentor, Barbara Curtis, died this afternoon, surrounded by her family. She will be so missed. 

Eternal rest, grant unto her O Lord 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace 

May her soul and the soul of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Barbara Curtis on Saturday,
November 3rd, at 12:30pm at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in
Purcellville, Virginia.  There will be a reception in the hall
following Mass.  The family will leave after about an hour for a
private burial, but visitors are welcome to stay longer at the
reception.  There will not be a viewing.  Please continue to pray for
the family while they grieve and heal.

We are working on a PO Box for Mass cards and notes of sympathy. I'll update here tomorrow with those details.

to Give

Four years ago (almost to the day) Barbara Curtis and I crossed paths, quite literally. She was at Loudoun Hospital while her husband Tripp was recovering from surgery. I was there with a baby in the NICU. Barbara had just come into the Church and she told me how she longed to bring its traditions alive in her home for her children. Hers was a family in crisis then--Tripp's healing was complicated; their finances were burdensome; they had just lost their home. After I arrived home with my new baby, I wrote to you all and told you about Barbara. I asked you then to help her to celebrate Advent. And help you did! You volunteered to send care packages to the Curtis family, packages full of faith! You sent Advent in boxes from all over the country. 

I wish I were here to ask for Advent boxes today. I'm not. I'm here with a very heavy heart to share a little of the Curtis family's pain. Barbara suffered a massive stroke yesterday. Her condition is grave. Barbara is not conscious and will not regain consciousness. We grieve.

Because this is a very real community, as soon as you heard, you wanted to help. To give. And, like me, you felt a bit helpless. We pray together for Barbara, and Tripp, and all twelve children. We want to do something more.

Before she was stricken, Barbara was struggling with a huge challenge. She had just learned she was unable to re-enroll Maddy at Catholic University for the spring semester because the family had not been able to make adequate payments for tuition. In order register, Maddy has to raise $5000. Barbara was working so hard to make that happen! In her words, 

Please let them know what a serious student Maddy is, how serious a future Maddy has in opera.

Even as a freshman, she was cast in the fall opera with a solo part and in the spring opera.  This fall she also has a background part, and in the spring she has the fifth lead in Gounoud's Romeo and Juliet.  This is incredible for someone her age (19).  

I know it was a stretch for us to send her here, but the education she is receiving is so solid and she adores Catholic University...  

When I called financial aid and asked about emergency funds, they said money is very tight. ...I know someday  CUA  will be so proud to have nurtured Maddy.

Believe me, this isn't just a stage mother or anyone starry-eyed.  I have 12 kids and that gives me a lot of objectivity. Some of my kids are gifted.  But Maddy not only had the greatest gift, she has worked so hard! And she is so filled with joy. It reminds me of Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire, when he says " When I run, I feel his pleasure."

Also, Maddy lives very simply, buying her clothes at thrift stores and getting around on Metro. She sold her car when she left for her senior year for spending money.  

Yes, I would so appreciate your prayers and any other way you can help.  Thank you.

Barbara is not the starry-eyed type. Barbara knows how formidable the task of raising a family like hers is and she is faithful to that task, grateful for that great joy. Please let's help her! As Tripp and the family gather, can we let them know that this is a true community of faith? Can we show them how far Barbara has reached and how much we, too, love her children?  Can we please send Maddy back to school in the spring, so that part of her world is safe and sound and there for her? Please wrap your arms and your hearts and your prayers around this family now. And, then, please take a moment to send the link on so someone else can be blessed with the opportunity to give.

Barbara Curtis Mommylife Memorial Fund

PO Box 682 Lovettsville, VA 20180-0682