The Jesus Prayer

Dear Em,
I just read this book called Flunking Sainthood by Jana Riess (http://blog.beliefnet.com/flunkingsainthood/). I had my suspicions that the author is Mormon, and now that I've been to her blog I see that she is Mormon, but I still think it's relevant to those of us who are Lutheran, Catholic, Evangelical...whatever. Maybe even agnostic or Hindu or just interested in discovering God or attaining a higher level of enlightenment. She tries a new spiritual practice every month for a year (generosity, prayer, observing the Sabbath) and basically describes  how she fails to varying degrees at each one. She has a very funny, relatable (word?) style of writing, and the only Mormon belief that bothered me as I was reading was that she tends to discuss Jesus and God as separate beings (which, in the Mormon tradition, they are). But even that wasn't pronounced enough to make me definitely sure she was Mormon, so I think any Christian could read this book and enjoy and learn from it. In the end, she decides that even through failing at each of these spiritual goals, she's deepened her faith and her relationship with God. That her failure served as a reminder that we are all failures without God, so maybe failing - as humbling and human as it is - was even better for her than succeeding would have been. My favorite thing that she tried was to say the "Jesus Prayer." Have you heard of the Jesus Prayer? I like it because it's short and pretty much says it all: O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (http://catholicism.about.com/od/prayers/qt/Jesus_Prayer.htm). That's it. I like to say it in my head whenever I have a sinful thought or do something that I shouldn't. So, I could really be saying it 3 million times a day, but I guess it's been more like five or ten. At my church, there is a lot of disdain for "rote" prayers because they aren't spontaneous or creative and therefore they must just be "vain repetition" (that's a quote from the Bible somewhere, isn't it? I think Jesus said it...or maybe St. Paul). But for me, it's intimidating to always have to make up my prayers from scratch, so then I avoid praying. I like this prayer because it's short and meaningful and when I say it, I do feel like it's helping me refocus on God and stop being an idiot.

P.S. My eyes drove me nuts at the swim meet last night! By the time we left my eye makeup was all over my face because I couldn't stop rubbing them. And my throat itched. We left as soon as Simon was done and I felt so much better inside in the A/C. I feel terrible that you have to endure this every year. I am such a wimp.

Happy Friday!
Love,
Al

Happy Flag Day!

You are so much better than I am. I don't mean that I don't like myself or anything- because I think I'm ok too, but you are obsessed with things like listening to Catholic radio and your new homeschool curriculum. I'm obsessed with the new episodes of Arrested Development on Netflix and finding time to ride my bike.

I know which kid you are talking about at the pool. Alyssa was harassed by him when they were practicing for regionals. She is a girl, so she cried to a coach - his mom- and he stopped. I'm with you; let him handle it. But I am glad he likes swim team and surprised that you do too. I sort of hate it right now, but it's because of all of the whining and also because I have to deal with the parents who don't show up to do their jobs. Grr.

I looked at the Visiting Angels website. It is interesting that it's not nursing care or any level of nursing care. I wonder how expensive it is for the clients? If it is cheaper than medical in home care, I think it's a great idea.

I am writing a paper. AGAIN. I hate this class. It's about nursing theories. Yes, there are multiple theories of nursing. I have to compare/contrast two theorists. Yawn. And then for my discussion this week I have to answer this question (among others): How many ways of knowing have you experienced in becoming a nurse? Ways of knowing? This is a real thing. And I have to write about it:\

We will see you tomorrow! I can't wait to show you all the awesome loot I got from the garage sale!

Oh, and Happy Flag Day!

Random Thoughts on a Wednesday Morning

Dear Em,
For weeks now, I keep opening up this page and getting interrupted, but I'm determined to write you something today, even if it's only this one sentence. It has been a strange week over here. Weird things are going on with David, we have had a bazillion activities to go to (in my mind, anyhow), John is bummed about a new performance ranking system at work, and I am semi-obsessed with researching Catholicism (as the rest of the family watches in mild horror). We had a swim meet last night in Coon Rapids, and I'm so amazed that I didn't hate being there. It was fun. It was even fun with Mike and Stacey. I like them as long as we don't talk about anything meaningful. Mike was really upset about this boy who has been teasing Simon, and he wouldn't let it go...the boy's mom is that blonde, curly-haired lady who is always at the Rec and I think is in charge of something there. Is her name Cindy? She's really muscular and kind of scares me. I was annoyed; I'm more of the he-needs-to-deal-with-it-himself school of thought. Abby and Esme and Grace had a blast, Simon was in his element, screwing around with the other kids his age and doing his sincere but hilarious version of the freestyle stroke. Phil is officially scooting now, and he likes to get up on his hands and tippy-toes and just look around. He likes looking at my face and then trying to yank off any of the parts he can get a hold of. Our new washing machine is coming today, and I marvel once again at how blessed we are. I look around my house and family and wonder what my life would be like if I only had what I deserved...it would not be anything like this. I am half-seriously investigating a "Visiting Angels" franchise...they advertise on Catholic radio all the time (part of my recent obsession is obsessively listening to Catholic radio) and they provide non-medical home care to the elderly, like cleaning and bathing and running errands and stuff. Doesn't that sound cool?
I found a blog by this woman who's really active on the Robinson Curriculum Facebook page - the curriculum we're starting next "fall" (a.k.a. end of July): http://travelingthenarrowroad.wordpress.com/. I like her.
I think I've figured out a menu for Saturday: burgers (real meat for some, vegan for others), no-meat calico beans, vegan potato salad, hearts of palm salad, vegan strawberry shortcake. I'm excited to make the shortcake, because the recipe includes vegan biscuits and I LOVE a good biscuit.
We can't wait to see you guys this weekend...right now, I'm thinking you don't need to bring any food or anything over. You bought the gift; I will buy the meal and some beverages. Tell me what kind of beer to get. Have I told you that I've been drinking pop? A Diet Coke or a this Zevia stuff every other day or so. I can't help but think that a glass of wine is probably better for you.
Anyway, Phil is whining at me and I'd better get going. Have a great week!
Love,
Al