Why I Wear Skirts

I have recently been following along with a few modest fashion groups on Facebook.  (Modesty for the Modern Mom hosted by Caroline of the Modest Mom Blog, Modest Young Women hosted by Christina of Our Wood Home, and Modern Modesty hosted by Lauren of the blog Modern Modesty.)  I have loved seeing all of the outfits people post, and have gotten inspiration to try pattern mixing, pairing different colors, and creating outfits I might not have thought of on my own. 

Participating in these groups has also had me thinking about skirts.  I wear skirts.  I wear them a lot, enough that my grandfather once told me he "didn't recognize me," because I was wearing slacks!  Unlike many women who participate in these groups however, I do not find wearing skirts and dressing modestly mutually exclusive.   While wearing skirts is definitely a huge part of my modest wardrobe, I do not think it is necessary to wear skirts and modesty is not the primary reason I choose skirts.

So you may find yourself wondering - just why do I wear skirts so much? The short answer - I like wearing skirts.

A Few Reasons Why I Like Wearing Skirts: 

Feminine
 I like that wearing skirts makes me feel feminine.  When I am wearing a skirt I feel ladylike, and I find myself more aware of my attitude and behavior.  When I look like a lady I want to act like a lady!  It reminds me of asking my grandmother why she wore skirts so much when I was a child, she replied "I'll start wearing pants when men start wearing skirts."  I like that a skirt is distinctly "woman." 

Faith

I like that skirts make me feel connected to my faith.  In my area the majority of women who wear skirts, at least those who wear them regularly or exclusively and are seen wearing them for "normal" every day activities, are Christian.Though I do not wear skirts out of spiritual conviction, I know that wearing skirts frequently may be perceived as a statement of faith.   I know that in wearing skirts, many people will automatically view me as Christian, and I want to act accordingly!  I want to be sure I am giving Christians a good name, and to make my demeanor and attitude reflect the joy of my faith. 

Strength

I like that wearing skirts make me feel strong.  When I am wearing a skirt, I feel connected to the women of yesteryear.  The women for whom wearing skirts was an everyday norm.  I think of the strong women who helped build this country in skirts.  The women who walked the Oregon Trail to new lives.  The women who toiled alongside their husbands on the frontier.  The women who marched for Civil Rights.   When I wear a skirt, I feel like I can do anything!

This blog is linked up at some fun places around the web, including:
Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom Blog, Tell It To Me Tuesdays @ Foundational, Titus 2 Tuesday @ Cornerstone Confessions, No Rules Weekend @ Sincerely, Paula

Work, Prayer and FPU...

As is usually the case work has been a big part of my life of late.. but its not the only thing I have been up to.

 

 

Prayer Life

 

Over the last several years prayer and faith have definitely been an up and down road for me.  I am fortunate to have found a few great resources to my faith life lately!

XLT at St. Mary's Church - Westfield MA
I have attended this monthly event twice (despite being listed under Youth Ministry my friends and I were far from the only adults there, and certainly not the oldest by far).  The first time I attended, the speaker really said the words my heart needed to hear!

Modesty for the Modern Mom - FB Group
I have been a long (albeit inconsistent) reader of Caroline Allen's The Modest Mom Blog, recently I decided - despite not being a mom - to join her new private group on Facebook.  I expected the group would be a fun way to see outfit ideas, but it has also been a huge encouragement to me from a faith perspective!

Bible Study - Any Ideas?

I am entertaining the idea of beginning a young adult women's Bible Study at my house?  Does anyone have any suggestions for a good Bible study for young-adult women (loosely defined as post college age around mid-20s to early 30s).  My group of girl friends are currently all unmarried and none have children, though it could expand to include married women as we enter those stages of our lives and/or invite others.  I am thinking it might be interesting to focus on Christian role models, both Biblical women and saints.  The study does not need to be distinctly Catholic, but we would like one that is in line with Catholic teaching, if anyone has any resources please let me know!

Budget Life

I am definitely still not in gazelle mode, but I have been trying to be conscious of my budget.  I posted the figures of my total debt paid off since July 2014 as well as my current remaining debt on my fridge for motivation, and today I am FINALLY starting Financial Peace University at a local church.  I signed up last year but it was cancelled by the church that was supposed to host it last time.  I am hoping this will help me be a lot more intentional with my spending. 

Have you participated in FPU?  Do you have any suggestions to help me in my debt-free journey?  I am totally understanding what Dave Ramsey says when he talks about becoming debt free as being about behavior not knowledge.  I know how to coupon, budget, save money etc.  but it is in the DOING where I sometimes have trouble.  What suggestions do you have for maintaining motivation? 

Seven Quick Takes

Ya'll know the drill.  And just like Jennifer over at Conversion Diary, my quick takes are likely to be more scattered than normal.  And there will probably be some random links to various places on the web!

(1) Back In High School

Today I went and presented at a local high school.  It has brought on anxiety and bad memories all week.  Even a nightmare yesterday.  And no I didn't have a scarring high school experience, this was all based on the realization that I am SO HAPPY I am no longer a high school teacher. 

 

(2) It wasn't the kids 
 My hatred of teaching HS wasn't about the kids. In fact I loved them.  Were I the school counselor or campus minister, or an advisor, or in some other position that didn't require me formally teaching, I'd probably still be working in a high school.  But the teaching itself I wasn't a fan of, and the anxiety that accompanied I really didn't like.  I was miserable.  And so I'm not teaching anymore. 

(3) Anxiety

 No big surprise from the last two quick takes that I've been having some anxiety issues lately.  This isn't something particularly new for me.  I was diagnosed with depression more than five years ago, and also have general anxiety.  So when I say I'm anxious I don't just mean nerves, or fear, or being afraid to speak in front of people, as a lot of people assume. It's not always the most pleasant problem to encounter, but in the end it's just part of who I am.  We all have abilities and disabilities and areas for growth - this is mine. (Note: I love public speaking, so #1 had nothing to do with a public speaking fear).
 

(4) Courage
Even here in the 21st century, talking about Mental Illness can be fairly taboo.  While the days of mental institutions and such are behind us, society often looks down upon people who are battling mental illnesses.  I need to give a big shout out to, two fabulous young women who have used their blogs as a platform to help disspell some of these myths.  Emmy Cecelia over at Journey of a Catholic Nerd Writer has discussed anxiety multiple times on her blog, and Hannah Katy of HannahKaty.com and More Love Letters wrote an excellent post last week on depression, which can be found here.  Kudos ladies, and thanks for taking the time to address a topic so many people sweep under the rug!

(5) Next
This has been the recent topic of my thoughts. Next. As in, what comes next.  I'm not sure exactly what the answer is, but I hope you will join me in praying for whatever comes next on my Journey.


(6) WSU fights the WBC
Last week, rumors expected the Westboro Baptist Church to arrive here in Massachusetts, to protest at a soldier's funeral in Westfield, MA.  On less than 24-hours notice, a group of students from Westfield State University organized a Peaceful Counterprotest against the expected church members.  The WBC didn't end up showing up (Praise God!) but I am still very impressed with the WSU students for their swift organization, and their reminder to everyone involved that their job was to quietly and respectfully support the bereaving family - they were to be a "human shield" against the Church's hatred, not create a scene themselves.

(7) That said...
If I ever encounter someone from the WBC I probably will end up causing a scene.  This is a "christian" Church which preaches hatred! It is these types of organizations that give a bad name to Christians everywhere, in my mind this organization is to Christianity what extremists in the Middle East are to Islam.  The WBC is no more representative of true Christian teaching, than the Taliban is of the true teachings of the Muslim faith.  They are crazy radicals who try to use religion to teach hatred.  And while the WBC is not killing or sending out suicide bombers, their protests are still problematic and hateful.  I'm not sure how any Church which teaches that "God loves you" is a lie, can consider themselves Christian.  All I know is they need to read up on their Bible - they obviously missed John 3:16, Romans 5:8, and countless other verses about God's love for us!  

Preparing for Lent

Still failing on all these Quick Takes, but someday I will manage to actually get on it! Hopefully I'll actually follow through this week, while Miss Hallie Lord/Betty Beguiles is still guest-hosting for Jen.  I'm loving this guest hosting as it gives me an excuse to make extra visits over to www.bettybeguiles.com!

Is anyone else finding it as hard to believe as I am that Lent starts NEXT WEEK! I mean, Christmas barely ended, I still have some Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joes in the cabinet.  Granted, this may be in small part due to the fact that I've been hoarding, but still, that's beside the point!  Well, believe it or not, Lent is walking up the front path, ready to be knocking at our doorstep soon enough.  I don't know about you, but I have a few things left to do before the start of Lent.  I'm sure I could come up with many, many things if I tried, but for now, here is a top ten list.

(1) Reexamine my goals 

Remember my "New Years" post back from the start of Advent?  The one where I laid out my spiritual goals for the new liturgical year? Well as practical as I tried to be, I'm not sure I succeeded in following these goals as much as I would like.  Have I made time for prayer? Yes. Well, sort of.  In other words, I haven't made as much time for prayer as I would like. Appreciating blessings is a fairly easy one, but unfortunately I can't say the same for my Bible reading. And that most important goal of all?  Making God the priority. Well, He is my priority.  No doubt on that one.  But have I been acting like it?  That's where things get questionable... 

(2) Get the sin out of my system 

No, this isn't my excuse to sin as much as possible in the next 7 days (though yes, I am human, and yes, I will undoubtedly sin).  I need to get the sin out of my system. Cast it out of my soul.  In other words, I'm a bit overdue for a trip to the Confessional.

(3) Girl Scout Cookies 

A former roommate once told me she thought Girl Scouts were evil.  She was being more than a little facetious, but she did not appreciate that the delicious Samoas, Tagalongs and Do-si-Dos always made their appearance during Lent.  Sometime in the next seven days I need to get my hands on two boxes of Thin Mints.  One is on the express train to my stomach, and the other is going to enjoy a forty day vacation in the freezer until I get home from Easter Vigil on April 7th.  

(4) Scheduling A Few Dates

If I want to start succeeding on these goals  it is time for me to accept that I'm a busy gal and it's going to take a bit of advanced planning.  For the past few years I've been taking a bit of an Ignatian approach to prayer - I've been trying to pray in my daily life, to achieve that goal of prayer at all times or contemplation in action.  Unfortunately, I took what St. Ignatius knew was a difficult task, and tried to water it into something easy.  Recently I heard the following quote, from the Catechism - "we cannot 'pray at all times' if we do not pray at specific times."  I was using the concept of prayer in action, not in order to pray at all times of my day, but as a reason not to pray at specific times of the day. I thought it was better to simply interweave my day with prayer, instead of separating a "Time" for God, I wanted Him to be part of every moment.  And this would have been great, had I been successful.  So now it is back to the drawing board, time to make "appointments with God," as one smart campus minister recommended a long time ago.  So, before Lent, I am creating a "prayer calendar" and scheduling a date with God for each of these 40 days.  

(5)  Finding A Few Buddies 

Throughout college, and during my time in the Midwest directly following college, I was blessed with a great faith community.  Initially, the loss of this was really difficult for me.  Without my faith community it was difficulty for me to sustain my faith.  Since then I realized that at times, I had come to appreciate the community more than the faith.  Instead of allowing the community to bolster my faith, I had allowed the faith to become a side note, while the community was what I really appreciated. Both were important, but I had allowed them to become so co-dependent that when one part (community) changed, I risked losing the other part (faith). Now I am starting to rebuild my faith and what it means to have a faith community.  I am looking for a few good friends to support the journey, to hold me accountable to all these dates I'm scheduling with God. Maybe we can even go on a double date together, I'm sure Jesus won't mind the extra company :)

Seven Quick Takes Fail....

Well, as I predicted, I haven't quite followed through with the 7 Quick Takes. I actually had most of a post written back on week 2, but my computer deleted it, and I just never got back to a follow through.  It is far too late to link-up for this week, but hopefully next week I'll be back. 

The theme I had planned for the failed 7 Quick Takes was "Words That Are Not My Own," or something to that effect.  Several of the things that are on my mind this week are once again not my own thoughts.  In the wake of the Roe vs. Wade anniversary last week, and the current political campaigns a lot of my thoughts have had to do with abortion and health care issues and the Catholic faith.  So here are a few of my thoughts:

(1) Option of Conscience

As some people have likely already seen from my Facebook statues or posts, I am a big proponent of an option of conscience for medical professionals. I believe it is important that doctors and nurses not be forced to assist in abortion services, and I also oppose the use of tax dollars to provide abortion services or medicines which are abortificent in nature.  Below is a statement on the issue from Cardinal-designate Dolan:

"The Amish do not carry health insurance. The government respects their principles. Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new health-care reform law respects that. Quakers and others object to killing even in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious objectors. By its decision, the Obama administration has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease." 

(2) The "Catholic" Candidate

First off, let me state that I am a political moderate. I do not belong to a political party. I have chosen not to belong to a party because I believe that it is important to look at the individual candidate running for office and their stance on the issues (plural) at hand. I am not a single-issue voter.  And if you tell me that lack of enrollment in a political party means I'm an "uneducated" voter you can expect an earful. Similarly, I will not vote for a candidate simply because they are Catholic. And you shouldn't either.  (Note: You are a grown person, if you want to vote for Santorum go for it.  But for the love of God and Church, please don't vote for him because he is Catholic.)
http://www.fplaction.org/the-catholic-case-against-rick-santorum/
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/santorum-questions-us-bishops-immigration-policy/

(3) Abortion

If we really want to end abortion, we need to look at the whole picture.  Simply outlawing abortion isn't going to help the cause. We also need to educate young women (and young men) about the consequences of sex.  More importantly, we need to create a culture that embraces life.  We need to create a society that supports the vulnerable woman and makes it possible for her and her child to live a happy, healthy, vibrant life. These women know that abortion is a choice, we need to show them why life is a better one.

 

An Advent Yes

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, but today's Gospel tells us the story of the Annunciation.  It is one of my favorite Scripture stories.  In my opinion one of the most important Scripture stories.  I think we are called to live Annunciation lives.  We are called to be like Mary.  To say yes to God.  Mary came to have Christ physically formed in her, and we too are called to have "Christ formed in you," (Gal 4:19).

Advent is a season of Hope. A season for saying Yes.  Advent is saying Yes to carving out prayer time.  Advent is saying Yes to recognizing the true meaning of the Season, despite the commercial hustle and bustle.  Advent is saying Yes to the plans God has for our lives.  Saying Yes to sharing a Christmas gift with that new acquaintance.  Saying yes to spending a few extra minutes writing Christmas cards to the people who have gone above and beyond in your life.  Advent is saying Yes to the journey, and following the path to Christ at all costs.  Saying Yes to the message of Christmas and the message of Christ's life.  Advent is saying Yes to God's messengers, just as Mary said yes to the Angel Gabriel.   Advent is about our willingess to say, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word."(Lk. 1:38).

Inspired and Intimidated - Part One

Back at the beginning of October, I wrote on a friend's facebook wall a sort of negative post regarding St. Therese of Liseux. Now before you go calling me a hater, let me clarify.  My negativity was not so much about St. Therese as it was about myself.  Her feast day spurred in me a bit of a quarter-life crisis of sorts.  I mean, I am 24 years old.  I have graduated college, and had a love-hate relationship with a stream of one year jobs in the time that has elapsed since May 2009.  In short, I haven't accomplished anything all that exciting.  St. Therese on the other hand... now she was 24 once too.  In fact, she died at age 24.

She died at 24 and became a Doctor of the Church.  Seriously.  A Doctor. Of the Church. One of only three women to receive the honor. And the youngest of all 33 doctors of the Church by a solid decade. And looking at that, well, my life seemed a bit lame by comparison.  Now before you go off an tell me, don't worry it will be fine, or maybe you'll meet her in heaven sometime.  Please don't.  Don't worry, I'm not really depressed or quarter-life crisis over this.

Quarter-life crisis behind me, realizing just how young St. Therese was at her death, caused me to think.  It made me realize yet again just how short life can be.  But it also showed me that all of us, no matter how young, are called to strive toward greatness.  It is a reminder that being young is no excuse not to do big things.  So consider St. Therese the introduction to a series on (young) people who inspire me.

The Post Where I Decide To Take Blogging Seriously.... Again

I've said time and time again, that I want to take blogging "seriously."  And once again I am saying I want to try.  Sometimes it is difficult to explain to non-bloggers, what exactly blogging is, or what I mean by the "blogging community."  But explainable or not, I know that I want to try and become part of the blogging community.  I've written in the past that the lack of Christian community and opportunity for fellowship in my life, sometimes makes faith difficult for me, but there is an awesome Catholic blogging community, and I'd be foolish not to turn to it as a means of finding the fellowship and faith community I'm looking for.

Blogging for Life

I keep telling myself that someday, I will make it to DC for the March for Life.  I suppose next year I should stop making excuses and actually get on the bus.  But for this year, I'll dedicated my blog to the cause for the day. I was surprised that a google search for "blog for life" or "pro-life blog link up" yielded few results.  There is however a NARAL sponsored "Pro-Choice Blog Day," and a responding pro-life "Ask them what they mean by choice?"  I have to admit that the images and descriptions used by both slightly uneased me, but I am still going to be using those as a launching point to my post. 

This year, NARAL's "Pro-Choice Blog Day," theme question was, Given the anti-choice gains in the states and Congress, are you concerned about choice in 2011? I think their question is a good place for me to start, because, frankly, what "anti-choice" gains in Congress do they expect their readers and writers to respond to.  The allowance for abortion funding through federal tax dollars in the new health care bill?  The election of one of the most pro-choice Presidents in our nation's history?  As a pro-life person, I would like to see all these pro-life victories they are lamenting, so that I can celebrate them. 

Since the only pro-life victories I could think of were the elections of Scott Brown and Kelly Ayotte, and I admittedly used google today to help me find the latter, I am going to turn NARAL's question against them and answer my own -- Given the anti-life gains in the states and Congress, are you concerned about life (and choice) in 2011?

In a word, yes. I am concerned about both life and choice in 2011.  I am concerned that every time I read the news, I see life at risk.  Whether it is in pro-abortion legislation, teenage and college suicides, murders or people being sentenced to capital punishment, it seems that life is threatened everywhere I look. 

I am also however worried about choice.  I am worried about a world, where a woman believes abortion is her best choice.  I am worried about a world where people believe allowing their child to die is a better option than allowing her to live.  I am worried about a world where people believe they are preventing their child pain by killing it, instead of bringing it in to a "bad," situation.  I am worried about a world where people who believe in God, have a personal opposition to abortion, and generally seem like good people, can still say that abortion should be a choice for others.  Recently my grandmother was telling me how in her childhood no one ever talked or really thought about abortion, the idea was simply unfathomable.  They never thought a world where abortion would be available legally, in clean clinics with trained medical personnel would exist.  And that is what worries me most, a world where abortion has become not simply a "choice," but a true "option," that people weigh equally with others and consider just as legitimately as others. 


 

The Journey

Welcome to my new blog, "The Journey."

I am the first to admit, that referring to life as "a journey," is a bit cliche.  We have seen it in movies, read it in books, heard it in songs.  We've been reminded by friends or parents that the journey is more important than the destination, heard retreat talks on "the faith journey."  But, like any good cliche, there is undeniable truth behind the journey analogy.  Each of us is on a physical, spiritual and emotional journey every day.  This blog aims to discuss mine.

My journey includes both easy parts and difficult. Days when the right path has a sign and an arrow, and days when the path involves a barely visible sunken log and a giant leap of faith.  There are days when the journey includes handwritten invitations, and days when a glaring orange detour sign blocks the road you know you should take.  

So whether my day involves a float on cloud nine, or nine hours stuck in the mud, I invite you to follow.  To follow the journey.  Hopefully my posts won't be as cliched as my title.